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ILLINOIS  STATE  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 


3  3051  00000  0251 


ILLINOIS  GEOLOGICAL 
SURVEY  LIBRARY 


STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 
DEPARTMENT  OF  REGISTRATION  AND  EDUCATION 

DIVISION  OF  THE 
STATE  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 

FRANK  W.  DeWOLF,  Chief 

BULLETIN    NO.    34 


THE   ARTESIAN   WATERS 

OF  NORTHEASTERN 

ILLINOIS 

By  Carl  B.  Anderson 


PRINTED  BY   AUTHORITY    OF    THE   STATE    OF    ILLINOIS 


URBANA,  ILLINOIS 
1919 


STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 
DEPARTMENT  OF  REGISTRATION  AND  EDUCATION 

DIVISION  OF  THE 

STATE  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 

FRANK  W.  DeWOLF,   Chief 

Committee  of  the  Board  of   Natural  Resources 
and  Conservation 


Francis  W.  Shepardson,  Chairman 

Director  of  Registration  and  Education 

Kendric  C.  Babcock 

Representing  the  President  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois 


Rollin  D.  Salisbury 
Geologist 


Schnbpp  &  Barnes,  Printers 

Springfield,  III. 

1919. 

21822 — 3M 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 


State  Geological  Survey, 
Urbana,  June  29,  1919. 

Francis    W .    Shepardson,    Chairman,    and    Members    of    the    Board    of 
Natural  Resources  and  Conservation: 

Gentlemen  :  I  submit  herewith  a  report  on  the  Artesian  Waters  of 
Northeastern  Illinois,  and  recommend  that  it  be  published  as  Bulletin  34. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  on  account  of  lack  of  funds  the  report 
could  not  have  been  published  in  1915  or  1916  soon  after  completion  of 
the  work.  However,  I  feel  that  the  purpose  of  the  book  will  not  be 
defeated  by  its  late  publication  and  believe  that  its  value  will  be  realized 
by  the  industries  and  cities  of  northeastern  Illinois  seeking  abundant 
artesian  water  supplies. 

Very  respectfully, 

Frank  W.  DeWolf,  Chief. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


http://archive.org/details/artesianwater34ande 


GONTENTS 

PAGE 

Part  I. 

Introduction 17 

Area  investigated , 17 

Importance  and  purpose  of  investigation 17 

Field  work 18 

Importance  of  preserving  record 18 

Drillers'    logs 18 

Drilling  samples 18 

Directions  for  taking  samples 19 

Examination  of  samples 19 

Acknowledgments 20 

Underground  waters 20 

Sources 20 

Zone  of  saturation 21 

Definition 21 

Factors  affecting  ground-water  level 22 

General  statement 22 

Effect   of   topography 22 

Effect    of    surface    deposits 22 

Ground  water  in  bed  rock 23 

Springs 23 

Artesian  waters 24 

Definition 24 

Distribution  of  artesian  waters 25 

Geologic  formations  and  their  water-bearing  capacity 25 

General  relationships 25 

Surface  deposits 26 

General    description 26 

Terminal    moraines 26 

Ground  moraines 27 

Outwash   deposits 28 

Stream  or  alluvial  deposits 28 

Lacustrine    deposits 29 

Bed   rock   formations 29 

Static  head 31 

General  statement 31 

Measurements 31 

Methods  employed 31 


CONTENTS— Continued 

PAGE 

Recession 36 

Chicago  and  vicinity ,.-... 36 

Chemical  character  of  underground  waters 37 

General  statement 37 

Factors  affecting  chemical  character 38 

Hydrogen  sulphide 40 

General  statement 40 

Methods  of  analysis 40 

Occurrence 41 

Niagaran  waters 41 

Deep-well  waters 41 

Temperatures  of  underground  waters 42 

General  statement 42 

Methods  of  obtaining  temperature  data 42 

Chicago  well  waters 43 

Deep  wells , 44 

Depth  of  invariable  stratum  and  temperature. 44 

Geothermal    gradients 44 

Shallow  wells 46 

Well  waters  outside  Chicago 47 

Deep  wells 47 

Shallow  wells  and  springs 49 

Geothermal  gradients  in  general  northeastern  Illinois 49 

Factors  affecting  geothermal  gradients 49 

Application  to  northeastern  Illinois 50 

Summary 50 

Wells . 50 

Dug  or  open  wells 50 

Driven  wells 51 

Drilled  wells  of  small  bore 51 

General    description 51 

Costs  of  drilling 52 

Drilled  wells  of  large  bore 52 

Drilling  process 52 

Methods  employed 52 

Depth  of  wells 53 

Casing  of  wells 54 

Size  of  wells . 54 

Cost  of  drilling 55 

Drillers'    specifications 55 

Pumping  of  wells 69 

Methods 69 

Deep-well  pumps 69 

Impeller  or  centrifugal  pumps .  69 

Air-lift   pumps 70 

Costs   of  pumping 73 

General   considerations 73 

Deep-well  and   centrifugal  pumps 73 

Air-lift    pumps 74 

Yield  as  related  to  diameter  of  well 75 

(6) 


CONTENTS— Continued 

PAGE 

Part  II. 

Boone    County 77 

Physiography 77 

Geology. „ 77 

Underground  waters 78 

General  statement 78 

Belvidere 78 

Cook  County 81 

Physiography 81 

Geology 82 

Underground   waters 85 

Sources 85 

Chemical    character 86 

Chicago 87 

General  statement 87 

Shallow-rock    wells 87 

Deep-rock    wells 88 

Historical  discussion 88 

Water-bearing    strata 88 

St.  Peter  sandstone 88 

Prairie  du  Chien  group ,, 89 

"Potsdam"  group , 89 

Size  of  wells  and  casing 90 

Pumpage 90 

Daily   supply 90 

Effects  of  heavy  pumpage 91 

Pumping  methods 91 

Static    head 93 

Galena-Platteville    formation 93 

St.  Peter  sandstone 93 

"Potsdam"  group 95 

Chemical  character  of  Chicago  waters.  . . 96 

Niagaran    formation . . '. . 96 

Galena-Platteville   formation 97 

St.  Peter  sandstone 97 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 98 

"Potsdam"  group 98 

Upper  sandstone  member 98 

Middle    sandstone    member 100 

Lower  sandstone  member 101 

Local  supplies 102 

Vicinity  of  Chicago 102 

Blue  Island 102 

Harvey 104 

Riverdale 104 

Southeastern  area 105 

General  statement 105 

Chicago   Heights 107 

Matteson 108 

(7) 


CONTENTS— Continued 

PAGE 

Southwestern  area ...    108 

General  statement 108 

Lemont 108 

Western  area 109 

Argo 109 

Bellewood Ill 

Berwyn Ill 

Clearing. Ill 

Forest  Park 112 

La  Grange 113 

Lyons 114 

Maywood '. 114 

Melrose 115 

Proviso  Township 116 

River  Forest 120 

Riverside 121 

Summit 123 

Western  Springs 124 

Northern  area 124 

General  statement 124 

Desplaines 124 

Hubbard  Woods 126 

Park  Ridge 126 

Northwestern  area 127 

General  statement 127 

Arlington  Heights 127 

Barrington 128 

Palatine 128 

De  Kalb  County 129 

Physiography 129 

Geology 130 

Underground  waters 131 

Sources 131 

Chemical   character 131 

Local    supplies 132 

De  Kalb 132 

Genoa 133 

Hinckley 134 

Kirkland 134 

Malta 134 

Sandwich 135 

Somonauk 135 

Sycamore 136 

Du   Page   County 137 

Physiography 137 

Geology 138 

Underground  waters 139 

Sources 139 


(8) 


CONTENTS— Continued 

PAGE 

Chemical   character 140 

Local   supplies 140 

Bensenville 140 

Downers  Grove 142 

Elmhurst 144 

Eola 145 

Glen  Ellyn 145 

Hinsdale 146 

Lombard 146 

Naperville 146 

West    Chicago 147 

Wheaton 148 

Grundy   County 149 

Physiography 149 

Geology '. 149 

Underground  waters 150 

Sources 150 

Chemical  character 150 

Local   supplies 151 

Braceville 151 

Carbon  Hill . 151 

Coal  City 151 

Gardner 152 

Mazon 152 

Minooka 153 

Morris 154 

Kane  County 157 

Physiography 157 

Geology 158 

Underground  waters 159 

Sources 159 

Chemical  character    160 

Local    supplies 160 

Aurora 160 

Batavia    164 

Carpentersville    166 

Elburn 166 

Elgin 166 

Geneva 168 

Maple  Park   168 

Montgomery 168 

Mooseheart    169 

St   Charles 170 

Virgil 171 

Kankakee  County 171 

Physiography 171 

Geology 171 


(9) 


CONTENTS— Continued 

PAGE 

Underground  waters 173 

Sources , 173 

Chemical    character 173 

Local   supplies 173 

Kankakee 173 

Manteno , 176 

Momence 176 

Reddick 176 

Kendall  County 177 

Physiography 177 

Geology 178 

Underground  waters 178 

Sources 178 

Local   supplies '. 178 

Oswego , 178 

Piano 179 

Yorkville 179 

Lake   County 179 

Physiography 179 

Geology 180 

Underground  waters 181 

Sources 181 

Chemical    character 181 

Local   supplies 182 

General    statement 182 

Grays   Lake 182 

Gurnee 183 

Highland  Park 183 

Highwood 185 

Lake  Bluff 185 

Lake  Forest 185 

Lake  Zurich 187 

Libertyville 187 

Ravinia  Park 187 

Rondout 187 

Waukegan 188 

Zion    City 188 

La  Salle  County 189 

Physiography 189 

Geology 190 

Underground  waters 192 

Sources 192 

Chemical    character . 193 

Local   supplies 193 

Cedar    Point 193 

Deer  Park 193 

Earlville 194 

Grand    Ridge 194 

La  Salle 195 

(10) 


CONTENTS— Continued 

PAGE 

Leland.. 195 

Lostant 195 

Marseilles 196 

Mendota 197 

Oglesby 198 

Ottawa 199 

Peru 201 

Ransom 203 

Seneca 203 

Sheridan 203 

Streator. 203 

Utica 205 

Wedron 205 

McHenry   County 206 

Physiography •  • 206 

Geology 206 

Underground  waters 208 

Sources 208 

Static  head 208 

Chemical    character 208 

Local   supplies 208 

Algonquin 208 

Crystal  Lake 209 

Harvard 209 

McHenry 210 

Marengo 210 

North   Crystal  Lake 210 

Ringwood 211 

Woodstock 211 

Will  County 212 

Physiography 212 

Geology 213 

Underground  waters 214 

Sources 214 

Static    head 215 

Chemical    character 215 

Local   supplies 216 

Braidwood 216 

Crete 217 

Joliet 218 

Lockport 221 

Mokena 222 

Monee 223 

Peotone 223 

Plainfield 223 

Rockdale 224 

Steger 224 

Wilmington 224 


(ID 


CONTENTS— Concluded 

PAGE 

Winnebago  County 225 

Physiography 225 

Geology 225 

Underground  waters 226 

Sources 226 

Chemical    character 227 

Local   supplies 227 

Pecatonica 227 

Rockford 227 

Appendix,  Tables  of  analyses 233 


(12) 


ILLU  STK  ATION  S 

PLATE  PAGE 

I.  Map  of  the  area  covered  by  the  report  showing  the  artesian  wells  in  1914     16 

II.  Generalized  graphic  columnar  section  for  northeastern  Illinois,  includ- 
ing a  summary  of  data  on  the  artesian  waters  from  the  different  for- 
mations         28 

III.  Geologic  map  of  northeastern  Illinois  showing  the  bed  rock  underlying 

each  part  of  the  region 36 

IV.  Map  of  the  Chicago  district  showing  the  Potsdam  ground  water  level 

in  1914  by  means  of  contours 94 

FIGURE 

1.  Diagram  showing  the  amount  of  water  pumped  daily  from  deep  wells  in 

the  Chicago  district  in  1914  as  compared  with  that  from  the  wells  in 
the  Stock  Yards  district,  from  those  in  the  rest  of  Chicago,  and  from 
the  five  largest  in  the  Stock  Yards 92 

2.  Diagram  showing  the  total  number  of  wells  in  Chicago  and  their  daily 

pumpage  as  compared  with  the  number  and  pumpage  of  old  wells  and 

of   the   more    recent    ones 92 

3.  Graph  showing  the  lowering  of  the  static  head  in  the  Stock  Yards  wells 

since  they  flowed  in  1889 94 


(13) 


TABLES 

PAGE 

1.  Data  regarding  the  artesian  water  table  in  northeastern  Illinois 32 

2.  Temperatures  of  waters  from  representative  deep  wells  in  Chicago ....     45 

3.  Temperatures  of  waters  from  shallow  wells  in  Chicago 46 

4.  Temperatures  of  waters  from  deep    wells    in    northeastern    Illinois,    not 

including  Chicago 46 

5.  Temperatures  of  waters  from  shallow    depths    in    northeastern    Illinois, 

not  including  Chicago 48 

6.  Drilling  costs  of  representative  deep  wells 57 

7.  Average  analysis  of  waters  from  31  shallow  wells  in  Chicago 96 

8.  Mean  analysis  of  the  waters   from  57  representative  wells   in   Chicago 

pumping  over  75  gallons  per  minute  and  ranging  in  depth  from  1,200  to 
1,750    feet     99 

9.  Analysis  of  waters  from  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railway 

wells    at    Bensenville 143 


APPENDIX 

I.  Mineral  analyses  of  underground  waters  in  northeastern  Illinois 234 

II.  Boiler  analyses  of  underground  waters  in  northeastern  Illinois 250 


(15) 


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THE  ARTESIAN  WATERS  OF 

NORTHEASTERN 

ILLINOIS 

By  Carl  B.  Anderson 
PART  I 

INTRODUCTION 

Area  Investigated 
The  region  described  in  this  report  includes  an  area  of  approximately 
7,755  square  miles  in  northeastern  Illinois.  The  counties  included  are 
Boone,  Cook,  DeKalb,  DuPage,  Grundy,  Kane,  Kankakee,  Kendall,  Lake; 
LaSalle,  McHenry,  Will  and  Winnebago  (see  Plate  I)  with  a  total  popu- 
lation of  2,980,379  in  1910,  according  to  the  census  of  that  year.  This 
is  52.8  per  cent  of  that  for  the  entire  State,  whereas  the  area  is  only  13.8 
per  cent.  The  city  of  Chicago,  with  its  two  million  and  more  inhabitants 
is  responsible  for  this  unequal  ratio  between  population  and  area  in  re~ 
spect  to  that  of  the  remainder  of  the  State. 

Importance  and  Purpose  of  Investigation 

The  greater  amount  of  water  consumed  by  the  inhabitants  of  this 
area,  excluding  Chicago  and  the  towns  along  the  north  shore  of  Lake 
Michigan,  is  obtained  from  underground  sources.  The  industries  of  Chi- 
cago alone  pump  over  30,000,000  gallons  of  water  per  day  from  deep 
wells. 

A  thorough  investigation  of  the  underground  water  resources  has 
therefore  been  deemed  important,  special  emphasis  being  laid  upon  ob- 
taining data  in  regard  to  the  deep  artesian  wells  since  it  is  from  that 
source  that  the  larger  quantities  of  underground  water  are  procured. 

It  has  been  the  object  of  this  investigation  to  ascertain  to  the  greatest 
practicable  extent  such  information  in  regard  to  the  underground  waters, 
as  quantity,  quality,  accessibility,  distribution,  static  head,  and  depths  be- 
neath the  surface.  Chemical  analyses  have  been  made  of  a  large  number 
of  waters  and  the  results  are  given.  Measurements  of  the  water  level 
were  made  wherever  feasible,  or  data  in  regard  to  the  same  obtained. 

It  has  been  thought  that  the  results  of  this  investigation  would  be  of 
the  greatest  practical  service  if  the  conditions  existing  in  particular  lo- 
calities were  considered  individually.  The  method  of  treatment  has  there- 
fore been  by  counties  with  detailed  discussions  regarding  the  different 
cities  and  villages. 

(17) 


18  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Field  Work 

Essentially  all  of  the  field  work  for  this  report  was  done  during  the 
summers  of  1914  and  1915,  although  some  additional  time  in  November 
and  December  of  1913  was  spent  in  Chicago  collecting  well  records  and 
samples  of  water.  The  summer  of  1914  was  devoted  almost  entirely  to 
work  in  Chicago  and  its  immediate  vicinity  during  which  time  the  writer 
was  assisted  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Weiland  of  the  State  Water  Survey.  Data 
were  obtained  which  made  possible  the  drawing  of  the  contour  map  of 
"Potsdam"  ground-water  level  (Plate  IV).  Likewise  a  large  number  of 
water  samples  were  collected.  During  the  summer  of  1915  the  remainder 
of  the  area  was  covered. 

Importance  of  Preserving  Records 
The  importance  of  having  exact  information  regarding  underground 
conditions  is  becoming  more  and  more  evident.     To  obtain  such  know- 
ledge and  make  it  available  to  the  public,  is  the  purpose  of  the  Illinois 
Geological  Survey. 

drillers'  logs 
It  is  usual  for  the  driller  to  keep  and  furnish  a  log  of  the  well  to 
the  owner,  although  in  some  instances  even  this  is  not  done.  However, 
the  drillers'  logs  have  come  to  be  looked  upon  with  doubt  even  by  the 
drillers  themselves.  The  personal  factor  is  of  much  importance,  as  the 
logs  kept  by  some  experienced  drillers  are  surprisingly  accurate.  How- 
ever, in  the  drilling  of  a  deep  well  that  extends  over  a  considerable  period 
of  time,  it  is  very  probable  that  different  drillers  will  have  been  at  work 
and  as  the  names  used  by  drillers  to  describe  the  different  kinds  of  mater- 
ial penetrated  is  subject  to  much  variation,  an  inaccurate  log  will  result. 
As  an  example,  it  is  not  unusual  for  a  crystalline  dolomite,  which  is  a 
limestone  with  a  notable  magnesium  content,  to  be  called  a  sandstone; 
this  is  particularly  true  if  there  are  a  few  sand  grains  embedded  in  the 
dolomitic  matrix.  The  writer  has  frequently  furnished  drillers  with 
logs,  compiled  from  a  study  of  drill  cuttings,  and  it  has  been  noted  that 
there  has  been  much  more  confidence  placed  in  such  a  record  than  in  one 
that  is  just  a  "driller's  log." 

DRILLING    SAMPLES 

There  is  an  increased  interest  in  the  collection  of  drillings  among 
both  the  enterprising  well  contractors  and  the  people  who  are  having 
wells  drilled.  The  writer  has  usually  found  that  it  has  been  necessary 
only  to  call  to  the  well  owner's  attention  the  importance  of  saving  drillings 
in  order  to  have  it  done.  The  more  progressive  well  contractors  have  also 
been  very  willing  to  assist  in  this  matter.     There  should  be  a  detailed 


INTRODUCTION  19 

record  of  at  least  one  deep  well  in  every  city  or  village  as  a  guide  for 
future  drilling  and  therefore  particular  care  should  be  taken  to  have  a 
complete  set  of  samples  saved  from  the  first  well  in  a  locality.  The 
depths  below  the  surface  at  which  the  water  stood  as  the  different  forma- 
tions were  penetrated  together  with  information  regarding  any  pumping 
tests  should  also  be  carefully  recorded.  A  practice  that  is  becoming  more 
and  more  common  is  to  have  the  collection  of  drillings  made  a  part  of  the 
specifications.  An  accurate  log  will  always  be  obtained  in  this  manner. 
To  encourage  the  saving  of  samples  the  State  Geological  Survey  has 
had  special  cloth  bags  prepared  for  holding  samples  and  these  will  be 
sent  prepaid  to  those  requesting  the  same.  The  Survey  will  also  have 
the  drillings  carefully  examined  by  competent  geologists,  and  the  detailed 
logs  furnished  free  of  charge.  These  logs  are  also  kept  on  file  in  fire- 
proof cabinets  in  the  Survey  offices.  There  are  already  thousands  of  such 
logs  on  file,  and  the  information  thus  obtained  is  available  to  the  public 
in  all  cases  in  which  the  owners  of  the  well  have  not  requested  that  the 
data  be  treated  as  confidential. 

DIRECTIONS  FOR  TAKING  SAMPLES 

Although  the  Geological  Survey  always  encloses  directions  for  the 
collection  of  samples  whenever  a  set  of  bags  is  sent  from  the  office,  it  will 
not  be  amiss  to  mention  here  some  of  the  considerations  that  must  be 
borne  in  mind.  It  is  not  necessary  to  have  a  large  sample — a  few  ounces 
will  suffice — but  it  is  advisable  to  have  a  sample  of  the  cuttings  taken 
from  every  "screw,"  or  every  five  feet  of  drilling.  This  is  particularly 
true  where  the  strata  are  thin  and  there  is  a  rapid  change  in  the  different 
kinds  of  rock.  The  cuttings  should  not  be  washed,  as  in  so  doing  some  of 
the  finer  material  will  be  lost.  The  sample  should  be  representative  of 
the  material  brought  up  by  the  bailer.  If  it  is  a  mixture  of  coarse  and 
fine  material,  the  sample  should  be  similarly  neither  entirely  fine  nor 
entirely  coarse. 

The  Survey  also  sends  out  small  handbooks  in  which  drillers  may 
record  their  logs  and  any  remarks  that  may  pertain  to  the  drilling,  as 
the  rate  that  drilling  progresses  and  the  action  of  the  rock  upon  the  bit 
are  all  indications  of  the  character  of  the  strata.  The  water  levels  and 
any  pumping  tests  as  has  been  said  should  be  carefully  recorded. 

EXAMINATION    OF    SAMPLES 

The  study  of  the  well  drillings  should  be  made  by  a  competent 
geologist.  It  is  not  so  easy  as  it  may  seem  to  determine  correctly  from  a 
small  sample  of  more  or  less  powdered  material,  the  kind  of  rock  that  it 
represents.  A  description  of  the  material  so  accurate  that  it  may  be  pos- 
sible to  visualize  the  original  rock  is  to  be  desired. 


20  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  reader  is  referred  to  a  bulletin  by  Dr.  Udden1  published  by  this 
Survey,  which  gives  very  complete  instructions  for  the  study  of  well 
drillings. 

Acknowledgments 

In  order  to  make  a  report  of  this  nature  at  all  complete,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  have  the  cooperation  and  assistance  of  so  many  people  that  it  is 
impossible  to  make  individual  acknowledgment  for  all  the  information 
obtained.  It  has,  however,  been  a  source  of  great  pleasure  to  the  writer 
to  note  the  general  interest  that  has  been  taken  in  the  work  and  the  active 
assistance  rendered  wherever  possible. 

The  many  drilling  firms  doing  business  in  this  area  have  freely  fur- 
nished records  and  other  information  at  their  disposal.  Particularly 
large  contributors  of  such  data  have  been  the  following:  J.  P.  Miller 
Artesian  Well  Company,  S.  B.  Geiger,  and  the  Cater  Contracting  Com- 
pany. However,  many  logs  have  been  obtained  from  other  drillers,  and 
credit  is  given  in  the  body  of  the  report  wherever  possible.  In  many  in- 
stances these  well  contractors  have  taken  considerable  trouble  in  having 
samples  of  the  drillings  collected  in  order  that  accurate  records  might  be 
obtained.  The  city  officials  in  charge  of  the  water  departments  in  the  dif- 
ferent localities  have  contributed  much  data,  as  have  likewise  the  differ- 
ent firms  which  are  operating  deep  wells. 

The  writer  particularly  wishes  to  acknowledge  the  aid  rendered  in  the 
preparation  of  this  bulletin  by  his  fellow  workers  of  the  Illinois  State 
Geological  Survey.  Mr.  F.  W.  DeWolf,  the  director,  has  always  been 
ready  with  helpful  suggestions  and  criticisms  in  regard  to  the  general 
scope  of  the  work.  Mr.  G.  H.  Cady  has  furnished  information  in  re- 
gard to  the  LaSalle  area,  in  which  territory  he  has  done  much  detailed 
work.  Professor  T.  E.  Savage  has  also  rendered  aid  in  the  geological  in- 
terpretation of  the  well  records. 

Mr.  E.  O.  Ulrich  of  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  has  kindly  given 
his  geological  interpretations  of  some  of  the  detailed  well  logs.  His  com- 
ments accompany  the  different  logs. 

Grateful  acknowledgment  is  due  Dr.  Bartow  of  the  State  Water 
Survey  for  assistance  in  the  chemical  study  of  the  waters.  Almost  all  the 
analyses  given  were  made  in  the  laboratories  of  the  State  Water  Survey. 

UNDERGROUND  WATERS 

Sources 
The  underground  water  of  any  region  has  with  few  exceptions  the 
same  source  as  the  surface  waters ;  that  is,  from  the  rainfall  and  snow- 


1  Udden,  J.  A.,   Some  deep  borings  in  Illinois:     111.   State  Geol.   Survey  Bull.   24, 
014. 


UNDERGROUND  WATERS  21 

fall.  The  water  that  is  thus  precipitated  upon  the  earth's  surface  re- 
turns again  to  the  air  through  evaporation  from  plant,  soil,  or  water  sur- 
faces, is  carried  off  by  the  streams  to  the  oceans,  or  sinks  into  the 
ground  to  form  the  great  body  of  underground  water.  It  is  this  under- 
ground water  that  supplies  the  wells  of  a  region  and  with  which  we  are 
primarily  concerned  in  this  report. 

The  most  of  the  rocks  older  than  the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  en- 
countered in  many  of  the  deep  wells  in  northeastern  Illinois,  do  not 
outcrop  at  the  surface  in  the  State.  The  proper  subdivision  and  classifi- 
cation of  these  rocks  can  not  be  satisfactorily  made  from  the  study  of 
well  records  or  samples  of  drillings.  The  field  study  of  these  rocks,  as 
well  as  their  underground  relations  is  under  investigation  in  Wisconsin 
where  these  strata  are  exposed  at  the  surface,  but  final  conclusions  have 
not  yet  been  reached.  Mr.  Ulrich's  comments  on  the  logs  of  a  few  of 
the  wells  that  were  sent  to  him  are  included  in  this  report,  but  it  seems 
probable  that  more  recent  studies  in  Wisconsin  will  modify  his  views. 
For  these  reasons  it  has  seemed  best  to  use  the  old  names  and  divisions 
for  the  rocks  in  this  older  part  of  the  geologic  column  in  the  area  under 
consideration  until  some  agreement  has  been  reached  regarding  their 
subdivisions  and  nomenclature. 

Zone  of  Saturation 
definition 

Shallow  wells  sunk  in  a  flat  region  of  uniform  structure  and  with 
deposits  of  essentially  the  same  character  have  a  nearly  uniform  water 
level.  If  the  water  rises  in  a  number  of  wells  to  within  a  certain  dis- 
tance from  the  surface,  the  conclusion  is  that  the  rocks  are  saturated 
with  water  to  within  that  distance  of  the  surface.  This  general  level  of 
underground  water  is  called  the  ground-water  level,  ground-water  sur- 
face, or  water  table;  below  it  ground- water  fills  the  crevices,  joints,  and 
open  spaces  of  the  rock  to  unknown  depths.  This  zone  below  the  ground- 
water level  and  to  the  depths  below  which  it  is  believed  that  it  is  not 
possible  for  water  to  be  present  is  called  the  zone  of  saturation. 

This  underground  water  is  continually  being  drawn  upon ;  it  supplies 
the  permanent  streams,  escapes  through  springs,  vegetation  draws  up 
water  from  beneath,  and  both  the  deep  and  shallow  wells  of  a  region  owe 
their  permanence  to  the  underground  reservoir. 

The  water  level  in  wells  is  known  to  be  higher  during  the  wet  seasons 
than  in  times  of  drought ;  this  is  because  of  fluctuations  in  the  ground- 
water level.  During  times  of  heavy  precipitation  more  water  sinks  into 
the  ground  and  thus  causes  a  rise  in  the  ground-water  level.  Whereas 
in  the  dry  seasons  the  water  level  sinks  because  of  excessive  drain  with- 
out replenishment. 


22  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

FACTORS   AFFECTING   GROUND-WATER   LEVEL 
GENERAL    STATEMENT 

A  number  of  factors  affect  the  depth  of  the  ground-water  level  be- 
neath the  land  surface,  as  well  as  the  amount  of  available  water,  and  it's 
chemical  character.  In  a  nearly  flat  region  with  a  heavy  mantle  of  coarse 
material,  such  as  sand  and  gravel,  it  is  evident  that  a  large  amount  of  the 
rainfall  will  sink  into  the  ground ;  whereas  in  a  region  of  similar  climate 
but  of  thin  surface  deposits,  steep  slopes,  and  well  established  drainage 
lines,  the  run-off  will  be  greater,  and  not  so  much  water  will  be  ab- 
sorbed by  the  ground  as  under  the  former  conditions. 

EFFECT    OF    TOPOGRAPHY 

The  contour  of  the  ground-water  surface  is  somewhat  similar  to 
that  of  the  land  surface  but  not  so  irregular.  Although  the  ground- 
water level  is  higlier  beneath  the  hilltops  than  in  the  valleys,  the  maxi- 
mum differences  are  not  so  great  as  that  between  the  elevations  and  de- 
pressions of  the  land  surface.  The  water  level  in  the  permanent  streams 
is  continuous  with  the  underground-water  level  of  the  land  surface.  The 
movement  of  the  ground  water  is  toward  the  valleys,  and  the  important 
source  of  the  permanent  streams  is  the  ground  water  from  the  uplands. 

The  water  table  is  not  far  below  the  ground  surface  in  valleys,  on 
flood  plains,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  large  ponds  or  lakes.  It  is  therefore 
not  an  uncommon  belief  that  the  wells  situated  in  these  lowlands  obtain 
their  supply  from  the  nearby  large  bodies  of  water.  Such  is  only  very 
rarely  the  case,  as  the  movement  of  the  ground  water  is  toward  points  of 
lower  elevation,  and  therefore  the  wells  in  the  lowlands  draw  their  water 
from  the  same  underground  reservoir  as  those  on  the  uplands.  However, 
if  wells  are  located  on  banks  of  large  streams  or  lakes  and  the  pumpage 
is  at  a  greater  rate  than  the  inflow  from  the  ground  water,  there  will  be 
a  flow  toward  the  well  from  the  body  of  surface  water.  Likewise  a 
sudden  rise  of  the  water  in  a  stream  may  cause  a  temporary  underground 
flow  of  water  away  from  the  stream  and  into  wells. 

EFFECT    OF    SURFACE    DEPOSITS 

The  amount  of  available  ground  water  depends  to  a  great  extent 
upon  the  amount  and  character  of  the  surface  deposits.  In  a  sand  and 
gravel  deposit  there  is  a  notable  amount  of  pore  space  that  may  be  filled 
with  water.  Likewise  the  flow  of  water  through  such  material  is  much 
more  rapid  than  through  that  finer  in  grain.  Whenever  water  is  pumped 
from  a  well  at  a  greater  rate  than  the  rate  of  inflow  of  the  ground  water, 
there  is  a  depression  of  the  ground-water  level.  However,  because  of 
this  more  rapid  flow  in  the  coarse  material,  wells  tapping  such  a  bed  will 
recover  their  normal  water  level  in  a  shorter  length  of  time  than  those 


UNDERGROUND  WATERS  23 

whose  waters  come  from  such  deposits  as  fine-grained  clays. 

Naturally  the  most  favorable  conditions  for  large  yielding  surface 
wells  are  in  flat  regions  of  abundant  precipitation  and  a  heavy  deposit  of 
coarse  material.  In  certain  parts  of  the  area  covered  by  this  report,  shal- 
low wells  of  exceptionally  large  yield  can  be  obtained.  The  conditions 
are  usually  local  and  are  discussed  under  the  different  localities. 

GROUND    WATER    IN    BED    ROCK 

Many  of  the  wells  in  this  region  draw  their  water  from  the  bed  rock 
underlying  the  drift.  In  those  localities  where  the  bed  rock  is  a  lime- 
stone or  a  sandstone  it  is  not  unusual  to  obtain  wells  which  yield  large 
vimounts.  The  water  from  the  drift  gradually  works  its  way  downward 
to  the  underlying  bed  rock.  In  limestone,  the  cracks,  joints,  and  other 
openings  are  filled  by  the  water;  solution  of  the  limestone  also  takes 
place,  so  that  in  time  the  openings  are  much  enlarged,  and  definite  water 
channels  are  formed.  This  is  particularaly  true  for  that  part  of  this 
region  where  the  Niagaran  limestone  is  the  bed  rock. 

A  sandstone  is  also  favorable  for  the  storage  of  ground  water.  This 
is  illustrated  in  those  areas  where  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  underlies  the 
drift.  This  formation  is  especially  adapted  as  a  reservoir  because  of  the 
large  pore  space  due  to  the  almost  complete  absence  of  cementing  ma- 
terial. 

It  is  seen  that  there  is  an  intimate  relation  between  the  drift  and 
bed  rock  in  regard  to  the  water  content  of  the  latter.  If  the  conditions 
of  the  drift  are  favorable  for  the  retention  of  a  large  amount  of  the 
rainfall,  then  the  bed  rock  will  furnish  strong  wells.  In  some  places 
more  water  can  be  obtained  from  the  bed  rock  wells  than  from  those 
which  penetrate  only  the  drift.  Definite  water  channels  or  large  crev- 
ices may  be  encountered  in  which  instances  the  water  may  not  be  from 
the  immediate  overlying  drift,  although  the  source  is  usually  not  at  a 
great  distance. 

Springs 

Springs  are  found  along  many  of  the  valleys  in  the  glacial  drift  that 
covers  this  region.  The  water  issues  usually  from  some  gravel  or  sand 
bed  outcropping  along  the  sides  of  a  valley.  Springs  may  also  occur  at 
the  contact  of  a  bed  of  gravel  with  an  underlying  relatively  impervious 
bed,  as  of  clay  or  shale. 

Springs  that  issue  from  the  bed  rock  also  occur  in  the  outcrop  along 
the  larger  streams.  The  water  issues  from  between  bedding  planes  in 
the  rock,  crevices,  or  just  above  a  comparatively  impervious  layer. 


24  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Artesian  Waters 

definition 

The  term  "artesian"  as  used  at  present  refers  to  water  that  is  con- 
tained in  a  stratum  under  such  pressure  that  it  will  rise  when  tapped 
by  drilling,  to  a  greater  height  than  that  of  the  retaining  bed.  It  is  not 
necessary  for  a  well  to  flow  in  order  that  it  can  be  designated  as  artesian. 
In  many  wells  the  water  may  be  under  sufficient  pressure  to  rise  many 
hundred  feet  above  the  water-bearing  formation  but  still  lack  enough 
pressure  to  overflow ;  whereas  another  well  may  tap  the  same  aquifers 
and  flow  because  it  is  situated  on  somewhat  lower  ground,  although  the 
hydrostatic  pressure  or  static  head  will  be  essentially  the  same  in  both. 

The  conditions  and  requisites  for  artesian  waters  were  outlined 
many  years  ago  by  Professor  T.  C.  Chamberlin1.     They  are  as  follows : 

1.  A  pervious  stratum  to  permit  the  entrance  and  the  passage  of  the  water. 

2.  A  water-tight  bed  below  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  water  downward. 

3.  A  like  impervious  bed  above  to  prevent  escape  upward,  for  the  water, 
being  under  pressure  from  the  fountain-head,  would  otherwise  find  relief  in 
that  direction. 

4.  An  inclination  of  these  beds,  so  that  the  edge  at  which  the  waters  enter 
will  be  higher  than  the  surface  of  the  well. 

5.  A  suitable  exposure  of  the  edge  of  the  porous  stratum,  so  that  it 
may  take  in  a  sufficient  supply  of  water. 

6.  An  adequate  rainfall  to  furnish  this  supply. 

7.  An  absence  of  any  escape  for  the  water  at  a  lower  level  than  the 
surface  of  the  well. 

Another  list  of  the  essentials  for  artesian  waters  was  published  in 
1908  by  Myron  L.  Fuller  of  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey2.  His  summary 
is  as   follows : 

1.  An  adequate   source  of  water  supply. 

2.  A  retaining  agent  offering  more  resistance  to  the  passage  of  water 
than  the  well  or  other  opening. 

3.  An  adequate  source  of  pressure. 

The  first  requisite  is  not  made  specific  as  regards  source,  because,  as  has 
been  pointed  out,  artesian  waters  are  not  derived  from  a  single  but  from  a 
variety  of  sources.  The  second  requisite — the  retaining  agent — may  be  a 
stratum,  a  vein  of  dike  wall,  a  joint,  fault,  or  other  fracture  plane,  a  water 
layer,  or  some  one  of  a  variety  of  other  agents.  *  *  *  *  The  pressure, 
although  primarily  due  to  variations  in  level  in  the  different  parts  of  the 
artesian  system,  may  be  transmitted  in  so  many  ways  and  is  subject  to  so  many 
modifying  factors  that  the  postulation  of  a  specific  cause  is  impracticable.   *   *    * 

It  is  believed  that  the  three  factors  stated  in  the  preceding  paragraph 
are  all  that  can  be  considered  as  essential  to  artesian  flows,  all  other  postulated 


1  Chamberlin,  T.  C,  "Requisite  and  qualifying-  conditions  of  artesian  wells: 
Geol.  of  Wis.  vol.  1,  pp.  689-701,  1881.  Also  Fifth  Ann.  Rept.  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey, 
pp.    125-17.*',,    1885. 

2  Puller,  Myron  L„  Summary  of  the  controlling-  factors  of  artesian  flows:  U.  S. 
Geol.   Survey   Bull.   319,   pp.    3^-37,    1908. 


GEOLOGIC    FOKMATIONS   AND    THEIR   WATER   BEARING    CAPACITY  25 

requisites  being  in  reality  modifying  or  accessory  rather  than  essential  factors. 
These  secondary  factors  may  be  classified  as  follows: 

Secondary  factors  of  artesian  flows 
I.     Hydrostatic  factors  (relating  to  pressure  and  movement) 

1.  Factors  mainly  affecting  pressure. 

a.  Barometric  pressure. 

b.  Temperature. 

c.  Density. 

d.  Rock  pressure. 

2.  Factors  mainly  affecting  movement. 

a.  Porosity. 

b.  Size  of  pores  or  openings. 

c.  Temperature. 

II.     Geologic  factors   (relating  to  reservoir). 

1.  Character   of   reservoir. 

2.  Retaining   agents. 

3.  Structure  of  reservoir. 

4.  Topographic    conditions. 

5.  Conditions  relating  to   supply. 

a.  Catchment  conditions. 

b.  Conditions  of  underground  feed. 

6.  Conditions  of  leakage. 

DISTRIBUTION    OF   ARTESIAN    WATERS 

The  above  outlined  artesian  conditions  exist  in  the  entire  area 
considered  in  this  report.  At  depths  which  vary  with  the  different 
localities,  there  are  present  formations  that  contain  water  under  great 
hydrostatic  pressure.  This  pressure  is  not  everywhere  sufficient  to  cause 
a  flowing  well,  but  it  is  nevertheless  ample  to  cause  the  water  to  rise 
many  hundred  feet  above  its  containing  formation. 

GEOLOGIC  FORMATIONS  AND  THEIR  WATER-BEARING 

CAPACITY 

General  Relationships 
Beneath  an  almost  unbroken  mantle  of  clay,  sand,  and  gravel,  called 
drift,  present  over  this  area,  is  found  the  bed  rock.  The  contact  between 
drift  and  bed  rock  is  clear  cut  and  although  the  surface  of  the  latter  is 
in  its  major  aspects  somewhat  more  irregular  than  the  former,  in  general 
the  bed  rock  surface  is  much  smoother  than  the  drift  surface.  The 
consolidated  strata  can  be  seen  in  quarries  and  also  in  some  railroad 
cuts  where  the  drift  is  not  too  thick.  Likewise  in  a  few  places  the  bed 
rock  outcrops,  as  along  Illinois,  Rock,  and  Fox  rivers.  The  bed  rock 
does  not  have  the  same  character  in  all  localities ;  for  instance,  at  Chi- 
cago and  vicinity  it  is  a  limestone,  whereas  along  Fox  River  it  is  a 
sandstone,  and  under  the  drift  in  Grundy  County,  shale. 


26  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

Surface  Deposits 
general  description 

The  deposit  of  clay,  sand,  gravel,  and  boulders,  which  covers 
essentially  the  entire  area  treated  in  this  report,  was  laid  down  during 
the  glacial  epoch.  The  drift  ranges  in  thickness  from  a  few  feet  to 
over  300  feet,  and  with  a  probable  average  over  the  entire  region  of  50 
to  75  feet.  The  heterogenous  mixture  of  clay,  sand,  gravel,  and  boulders 
that  was  deposited  directly  by  the  ice  is  called  till;  the  drift  that  was 
worked  over  or  sorted  by  the  waters  running  from  the  glaciers  and  then 
redeposited  is  called  stratified  drift. 

Before  glaciation  the  great  mantle  of  clay,  sand,  and  gravel,  which 
now  covers  the  region,  was  absent,  the  streams  were  cutting  away  at  the 
bed  rock  surface  that  underlies  the  present  drift  deposit,  and  the  land 
surface  as  a  whole  was  more  rugged.  As  the  great  ice  sheets  slowly 
advanced  southward,  the  original  soil  and  rock  debris  were  ground  up 
and  carried  along,  frozen  in  and  to  the  base  of  the  glaciers,  until  as  a 
result  of  an  amelioration  of  the  climate  the  ice  melted,  resulting  in 
disappearance  of  the  great  ice  sheet.  All  the  clay,  sand,  gravel,  and 
boulders  which  had  been  incorporated  in,  and  carried  along  by,  the 
glacier  was  then  deposited  over  the  land  surface  to  a  thickness  ranging 
from  a  few  feet  to  over  300  feet.  Crystalline  rocks  are  found  in  the 
drift  and  as  no  such  rocks  outcrop  in  this  region,  but  only  in  areas  far 
to  the  north,  this  material  must  have  been  carried  hundreds  of  miles 
before  deposition.  However,  the  greater  proportion  of  this  loose 
material  has  been  carried  only  short  distances. 

The  deposition  of  all  this  loose  material  served  to  efface  most  of 
the  smaller  pre-glacial  streams  and. to  alter  the  courses  of  many  of  the 
larger  ones.  For  example,  well  drillings  revealing  the  position  of  buried 
portions  of  a  pre-glacial  valley  show  that  Rock  River  was  forced  to  leave 
its  channel  in  a  number  of  places. 

The  topography  of  the  drift-covered  area  is  of  several  types,  due 
to  the  fact  that  the  loose  material  was  not  deposited  everywhere  in  the 
same  manner.  Each  major  type  will  be  discussed  individually  empha- 
sizing its  relationship  to  ground  water  supplies. 

TERMINAL     MORAINES 

The  terminal  moraine  is  that  thicker  part  of  the  drift  which  was 
deposited  along  the  border  of  the  ice  sheet  while  the  edge  was  stationary. 

Several  of  these  terminal  morainic  ridges  or  belts  occur  in  the 
region,  among  which  the  Valparaiso  morainic  system  is  the  most  note- 
worthy. It  follows  the  general  contour  of  Lake  Michigan,  extending 
southward  from  the  Wisconsin  line,  through  western  Lake  and  eastern 
Mctlen ry  counties,  across  parts  of  Cook,  Kane,  and  DuPage  counties, 


GEOLOGIC    FORMATIONS    AND    THEIR    WATER    BEARING    CAPACITY  27 

and  then  southeastward  so  that  it  is  found  in  southwestern  Cook 
County  and  northeastern  Will  County.  The  inner  border  in  most 
places  is  less  than  15  miles  from  the  lake,  and  the  width  ranges  from 
5  or  6  miles  to  20  or  more  miles  at  the  Wisconsin-Illinois  line.  Minor 
morainic  ridges,  such  as  the  branches  of  the  Bloomington  morainic 
system  which  cross  certain  of  the  counties  are  described  under  the 
different  counties. 

The  topography  of  the  terminal  morainic  areas  is  as  a  rule  more 
uneven  than  that  of  the  surrounding  region.  Small  knobs  or  knoll-like 
hills  with  steep  slopes  are  common;  there  are  numerous  depressions 
between  the  knolls  which  may  contain  lakes.  Marshes  are  also  not 
uncommon. 

It  is  possible  to  obtain  rather  abundant  supplies  of  water  from 
most  locations  in  the  terminal  moraine.  Because  of  the  irregularity  of 
the  topography,  the  poor  development  of  the  drainage  lines  and  the 
greater  thickness  of  the  drift  in  the  terminal  moraine  than  in  surround- 
ing areas,  an  excessive  run-off  is  prevented  and  a  notably  large  amount 
of  the  rainfall  sinks  into  the  ground  where  it  can  be  drawn  upon  by  the 
wells.  Most  of  the  beds  of  sand  and  gravel  common  in  the  terminal 
morainic  areas  will  yield  sufficient  supplies  of  water  for  small  villages 
and  for  private  use. 

Along  the  Valparaiso  morainic  system,  particularly  in  western 
Lake  County,  it  is  possible  to  secure  unusually  abundant  supplies  from 
the  drift,  yet  most  of  the  larger  wells  are  continued  to  the  bed  rock, 
for  the  rock  is  a  limestone  so  fissured  that  it  is  capable  of  storing 
extraordinary  quantities  of  the  water  which  seeps  down  from  above. 
However,  the  drift  is  the  source  of  this  water,  and  it  is  because  of  the 
reasons  mentioned  in  the  previous  paragraph  that  the  underlying  lime- 
stone contains  such  abundant  supplies. 

GROUND   MORAINES 

The  ground  moraine  is  the  body  of  drift  lying  between  the  terminal 
moraines.  It  covers  almost  this  entire  region  except  in  the  few  places 
where  erosion  has  removed  the  drift. 

The  topography  of  the  ground  moraine  is  less  uneven  than  that  of 
the  terminal ;  the  hills  are  lower  and  have  less  slope ;  the  depressions 
are  broader  and  shallower.  It  is  not  uncommon  for  ground  morainic 
areas  to  be  monotonous  plains  many  miles  in  extent. 

In  this  region  the  character  of  the  till  is  probably  the  most  import- 
ant factor  in  determining  the  ground  water  possibilities  of  the  ground 
moraine.  Where  the  greater  part  of  the  till  is  composed  of  clayey 
material  with  only  small  amounts  of  sand  and  gravel,  no  wells  of  large 
yield  are  possible.  However,  with  slight  relief  and  some  sand  and  gravel 
beds  present,  wells  of  moderate  capacities  can  be  obtained.     Many  wells 


28  AETESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

dug  in  the  ground  moraine,  within  a  few  miles  of  the  terminal  morainic 
ridges,  yield  good  supplies.  This  is  true  where  the  rainfall  that  sinks 
into  the  ground  on  the  higher  collecting  areas  encounters  a  sand  bed 
that  extends  under  the  ground  moraine. 

If  the  underlying  bed  rock  is  a  limestone  or  sandstone,  it  is  best  tc 
continue  the  wells  until  these  formations  are  encountered.  However,  in 
the  regions  where  the  Pennsylvanian  rocks,  or  "Coal  Measures",  under- 
lie the  drift,  it  is  desirable  to  try  to  obtain  a  water  supply  from  the 
drift  because  the  waters  of  the  "Coal  Measures"  in  many  places  have 
a  sulphur  taste  due  to  the  presence  of  hydrogen  sulphide  gas. 

OUTWASH    DEPOSITS 

Outwash  deposits  are  made  up  of  drift  transported  beyond  the 
terminal  moraine  by  water  from  the  melting  glacier.  These  outwash  de- 
posits are  of  the  same  character  as  the  main  body  of  drift  except  that 
they  are  more  or  less  stratified  or  sorted  by  the  waters  into  different  beds, 
each  one  characterized  by  a  predominance  of  a  certain  constituent,  as 
sand,  clay,  or  gravel.  The  coarser  and  heavier  sediments  will  be  deposited 
near  the  terminal  moraine,  whereas  the  lighter  sands  and  silt  will  be 
carried  out  much  farther.  The  sediments  deposited  by  the  many  streams 
flowing  from  a  glacier  may  unite,  forming  a  plain-like  area  spread  out  in 
front  of  the  terminal  moraine. 

The  outwash  deposits  that  contain  sand  or  gravel  beds  of  any  con- 
sequence contain  considerable  quantities  of  water,  as  the  porous  character 
of  the  material  enables  it  to  absorb  the  rainfall.  A  pervious  sand  or 
gravel  stratum  is  commonly  included  between  impervious  clay  beds ;  in 
such  a  case  where  this  pervious  bed  either  changes  to  compact  material 
down  the  slope,  or  its  lower  end  becomes  blocked,  artesian  conditions  may 
be  developed.  Thus  a  number  of  flowing  shallow  wells  are  obtained  from 
the  outwash  deposits.  It  is  also  usual  for  the  pervious  deposits  of  the 
outwash  plain  to  be  connected  either  directly  or  indirectly  with  the 
terminal  moraine,  the  elevated  area  and  uneven  topography  of  which 
make  it  a  good  collecting  reservoir  for  rainfall ;  this  also  tends  to  produce 
artesian  conditions  on  the  outwash  plain  which  is  at  a  lower  elevation. 

STREAM  OR  ALLUVIAL  DEPOSITS 

The  material  deposited  along  stream  courses  and  river  bottoms  is 
called  alluvium  or  alluvial  deposits.  During  times  of  excessive  rainfall 
the  streams  become  swollen,  the  swifter  flowing  waters  carrying  more 
detrital  material  and  having  greater  erosional  power  than  under  ordinary 
conditions.  This  results  in  the  broadening  of  the  valleys  and  the  form- 
ation of  flood  plains,  particularly  for  the  larger  rivers.  Also  in  past 
geologic  periods  some  of  the  rivers  carried  much  larger  quantities  of 


( 


■■■■ 


GEOLOGIC    FORMATIONS    AND    THEIR    WATER    BEARING    CAPACITY  29 

water  than  at  present ;  this  applies  especially  to  the  Illinois  and  Desplaines 
rivers.  After  the  recession  of  the  flood  stages  when  the  stream  occupies 
only  its  normal  channel,  there  is  left  in  many  places  a  flood  plain.  The 
clay,  sand,  and  gravel  that  covers  this  flat  land  is  the  material  from  the 
drift  and  bed  rock  over  which  the  water  has  flowed. 

It  is  generally  recognized  that  large  supplies  of  water  can  be  obtained 
from  shallow  wells  on  the  flood  plain  and  in  the  valley  bottoms.  The 
supposition  often  is  that  the  source  of  the  water  is  the  streams.  On  the 
contrary,  the  source  is  the  ground  water  that  moves  from  the  uplands 
toward  the  lower  areas  or  the  valleys  supplying  the  streams  with  water. 
In  some  places  flowing  wells  may  be  obtained  from  the  alluvial  deposits. 
This  signifies  alternate  pervious  and  impervious  strata  with  the  artesian 
pressure  developed  from  the  higher  water  table  underlying  the  uplands. 

At  flood  stages  the  waters  from  the  streams  may  seep  into  the  wells, 
because  the  waters  have  risen  so  rapidly  that  the  ground  water  level  has 
not  been  able  to  adjust  itself.  This  condition  could  not  last  for  long;  if 
the  flood  stage  does  not  recede  in  a  short  time,  the  ground-water  table 
away  from  the  banks  of  the  stream  assumes  a  higher  elevation.  How- 
ever, if  the  stream  waters  are  polluted,  there  is  danger  during  such  flood 
periods  that  the  lowland  wells  may  become  contaminated. 

LACUSTRINE  DEPOSITS 

In  the  many  small  lakes  that  abound  in  terminal  and  ground  morainic 
areas  sediments  have  accumulated  until  the  lakes  have  become  swamps 
and  the  swamps  themselves  have  become  filled,  but  such  deposits  are  not 
of  great  importance.  Even  the  largest  lacustrine  deposit  of  all  of  them 
bears  no  important  relation  to  water  supplies,  though  it  constitutes  a 
physiographic  feature  of  noteworthy  interest — the  plain  upon  which 
Chicago  is  situated. 

This  flat  area  was  at  one  time  occupied  by  an  extension  of  a  pre- 
historic Lake  Michigan  which  has  been  named  Lake  Chicago  and  had  an 
outlet  down  the  Desplaines  Valley  to  Mississippi  River.  Near  Summit, 
southwest  of  Chicago,  the  St.  Lawrence-Mississippi  divide  is  only  about 
10  feet  above  the  present  lake  level. 

Bed-Rock  Formations 

Glacial  surface  deposits  are  so  variable  in  distribution  and  compo- 
sition that  a  written  description  was  necessary  in  order  to  make  even  a 
generalization  about  them.  But  the  succession  of  sandstones,  limestones, 
and  shales  that  make  up  the  bed  rock  underlying  the  drift  is  much  the 
same  so  far  as  major  features  are  concerned  throughout  the  area,  mak- 
ing it  possible,  therefore,  to  generalize  graphically  in  a  columnar  section 
for  northeastern  Illinois.  (Plate  II.)  Though  thicknesses  as  shown 
vary  from  the  truth  considerably  in  certain  instances,  the  section  is 
nevertheless  to  be  taken  as  representing  the  average  condition.     Obvi- 


30  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

ously  the  lowest  formation  is  the  oldest  and  those  overlying  are  suc- 
cessively younger,  the  youngest  of  all  being  the  glacial  surface  deposits 
just  described. 

Not  every  formation  is  represented  in  all  parts  of  the  area,  because 
in  some  places  the  younger  formations  have  been  removed.  For  ex- 
ample, near  Utica  the  Pennsylvanian,  Niagaran,  Maquoketa,  Galena- 
Platteville,  and  St.  Peter  rocks  have  all  been  eroded  completely,  un- 
covering the  Prairie  du  Chien  beds,  so  that  only  the  lower  part  of  the 
general  section,  beginning  somewhere  in  the  Prairie  du  Chien  group, 
represents  the  local  Utica  section.  Again,  over  all  of  Winnebago  County, 
Niagaran  and  Maquoketa  rocks  have  been  removed  so  that  Galena- 
PJatteville  ("Trenton")  rocks  immediately  underlie  the  drift  and  only 
that  part  of  the  section  including  the  Trenton  and  below  is  applicable 
to  Winnebago  County. 

Although  originally  all  these  rocks  were  essentially  flat  as  the  sedi- 
ments from  which  they  were  derived  were  deposited  on  the  sea  bottom, 
they  now  have  somewhat  of  a  slope  or  dip  in  certain  directions,  due  to 
movements  in  the  earth's  crust  subsequent  to  their  deposition.  For 
instance,  the  limestone  commonly  known  as  "Lower  Magnesian"  out- 
crops in  the  vicinity  of  LaSalle,  whereas  at  Chicago  it  is  a  thousand  or 
more  feet  beneath  the  surface,  though  there  is  no  notable  difference  in 
the  surface  elevations  at  the  two  localities.  The  general  dip  in  north- 
eastern Illinois  is  east  and  south ;  thus  as  one  goes  west  and  north  from 
the  lake  the  older  rocks  will  outcrop  successively.  Surface  deposits 
scores  of  feet  in  thickness  conceal  the  bed  rock  from  view  in  most 
places,  but  the  accompanying  map  (Plate  III)  shows  which  bed  rock 
lies  immediately  below  the  unconsolidated  material  for  every  part  of  the 
area  as  closely  as  it  has  been  determined. 

The  columnar  section  is  to  be  applied  locally  with  the  aid  of  such 
a  geological  map  and  all  formations  above  the  outcropping  one  as  shown 
on  the  map  should  be  omitted  from  consideration  for  a  given  area. 

The  geologic  history  which  has  been  interpreted  from  the  character, 
distribution,  altitude,  and  succession  of  the  various  formations  has  little 
bearing  on  the  problem  of  water  supplies  and  is  therefore  omitted  from 
the  report1. 

1  For  those  who  are  interested  in  the  interpretation  of  the  history  that  has 
brought  about  the  observed  results,  other  bulletins  of  the  Survey  will  be  01 
interest. 

Atwood,  Wallace  W.,  and  Goldthwait,  James  Walter,  Physical  geography  of 
the  Evanston-Waukegan   region:   111.   State  Geol.   Survey  Bull.    7,    1908. 

Goldthwait,  James  Walter,  The  physical  features  of  the  Desplaines  valley:  111. 
State  Cool.   Survey  Bull.   11,   1909. 

Trowbridge,  Arthur  C,  Geology  and  geography  of  the  Wheaton  quadrangle:  111. 
State  Geol.   Survey  Bull.   19,   1912. 

Cady,  G.  H.,  Geology  and  mineral  resources  of  the  Hennepin  and  LaSalle 
quadrangles:    111.    State   Geol.    Survey   Bull.    37,    1919. 

Geological  map  of  Illinois.    Fourth  edition.    111.   State  Geol.  Survey,   1917. 


STATIC    HEAD  31 

STATIC  HEAD 

General  Statement 
The  static  head  (hydrostatic  pressure  or  artesian  pressure)  of  the 
artesian  water  in  a  locality  is  of  great  importance,  and  therefore  as 
much  information  as  possible  concerning  the  static  head  of  the  water 
in  different  localities  was  obtained.  Detailed  information  will  be  found 
under  the  discussions  of  the  different  localities,  but  Table  I  has  also  been 
prepared  to  give  a  general  survey  of  the  artesian- water  level  in  the 
area.  Likewise,  a  contour  map  of  the  artesian  water  table  in  the  Chicago 
region  has  been  drawn  (Plate  IV).  This  map  indicates  the  level  of  the 
water  in  the  artesian  wells  and  does  not  necessarily  represent  the  static 
head  of  the  water  from  a  particular  formation,  because  the  wells  are 
uncased  and  therefore  the  static  head  is  the  resultant  of  all  those  from 
the  different  water-bearing  formations  penetrated.  In  reality,  however, 
it  is  essentially  that  of  the  "Potsdam"  waters,  as  this  group  of  sand- 
stones is  the  important  aquifer.  In  the  vicinity  of  LaSalle  the  static 
head  represented  is  in  general  that  of  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  or  New 
Richmond  sandstone,  as  these  are  the  aquifers  that  have  there  been 
most  extensively  developed.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  water  level  is 
lowering,  in  some  localities  at  a  greater  rate  than  in  others,  so  that  in 
time  the  static  head  indicated  on  the  map  will  be  too  high. 

Measurements 
methods  employed 

It  was  commonly  found  that  the  well  owner  or  person  in  charge 
did  not  know  the  exact  water  level.  Therefore,  wherever  possible  it 
was  actually  measured  by  the  writer  or  his  assistant.  The  method 
employed  is  outlined  below,  and  very  satisfactory  results  were  obtained 
on  the  wells  pumped  by  the  air  lift.  In  most  instances  it  was  not  possi- 
ble to  determine  the  water  level  in  wells  equipped  with  deep-well  or 
centrifugal  pumps.  This  is  because  the  pumping  machinery  covers  the 
entire  well  opening,  so  that  no  weight  can  be  lowered  to  reach  the  water 
level.  In  a  number  of  such  cases  the  approximate  water  level  was  ob- 
tained, as  it  had  been  measured  the  last  time  the  pump  had  been  removed 
from  the  well  for  repairs. 

The  principle  used  in  determining  the  static  head  was  that  of  having 
the  water  surface  in  the  wells  close  an  electric  circuit  and  measuring  the 
amount  of  wire  extending  down  from  the  surface.  Two  insulated  wires 
twisted  together  so  as  to  form  one,  and  connected  to  a  small  hand- 
operated  magneto  at  the  ground  surface,  were  lowered  into  the  well. 
The  ends  of  the  wire  were  about  4  or  5  inches  apart  and  properly 
insulated  so  that  in  lowering  no  contact  with  the  iron  pipes  would  close 


32 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


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36  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

the  circuit.  A  small  weight  consisting  of  an  iron  rod  about  12  inches 
in  length  and  .5  of  an  inch  in  diameter  was  fastened  at  the  end  of  the 
wire  in  order  to  keep  it  taut.  The  two  ends  of  the  wire  were  connected 
to  the  magneto  and  the  other  two  ends  were  weighted  and  lowered  into 
the  well.  Current  was  generated  by  turning  the  crank  on  the  magneto 
as  the  wire  was  lowered  into  the  well.  As  soon  as  the  ends  of  wire 
came  in  contact  with  the  water  the  circuit  was  closed  and  a  small  bell 
on  the  magneto  rang.  The  wire  was  then  marked,  pulled  up,  and 
measured.  After  testing  a  few  wells  in  a  locality  in  this  manner  the 
average  distance  to  water  was  determined,  so  that  in  measuring  other 
wells  it  was  not  necessary  to  crank  the  magneto  until  after  the  greater 
part  of  the  wire  had  been  lowered.  The  remainder  of  the  wire  would 
be  slowly  lowered  until  the  ringing  of  the  bell  indicated  that  the  water 
surface  had  been  reached. 

Most  of  these  measurements  had  to  be  made  while  the  wells  were 
idle,  as  nearly  all  the  wells  were  closed  at  the  top,  so  that  it  was  not 
possible  to  lower  the  wire  between  the  well  casing  and  the  water  and 
airpipes.  The  wire  was  generally  let  down  the  eduction  pipe,  but  in 
certain  cases  where  the  discharge  pipes  were  connected  directly  with  the 
eduction  pipe,  this  was  not  possible.  In  many  such  cases  it  was  possible 
to  lower  the  wire  down  the  airpipe  by  removing  a  plug  or  elbow  at  its 
top. 

This  method  of  measuring  by  magneto  and  wire  was  found  to  be 
very  satisfactory.  A  well  could  be  shut  down  and  measured  in  less 
than  10  minutes.  The  chief  precaution  to  be  observed  was  to  see  that 
the  wire  insulations  did  not  become  broken  and  thus  cause  a  short 
circuit. 

Recession 
chicago  and  vicinity 

It  is  very  probable  that  the  well  drilled  in  Chicago1  in  1864  was  one 
of  the  earliest,  if  not  the  first,  deep  well  drilled  in  northeastern  Illinois. 

This  well  was  drilled  to  a  depth  of  711  feet  and  therefore  proba- 
bly obtained  its  flow  from  the  Galena-Platteville  limestone.  The 
water  rose  to  a  height  of  80  feet  above  the  surface  to  an  altitude 
of  692  feet.  This  well  has  since  been  abandoned,  but  the  water 
level  at  present  in  other  wells  in  the  vicinity  is  150  feet  below  the  surface, 
or  230  feet  lower  than  at  first.  Further,  the  present  static  head  is  of 
water  from  strata  somewhat  lower  than  those  penetrated  by  the  well 
drilled  in  1864.  It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  these  waters  from  the 
lower  zones  originally  had  even  a  higher  head  than  that  recorded  in  the 
early  drilling. 


1  Schufeldt,  Jr.,  George  A.,  History  of  the  Chicago  artesian  well,  Chicago,  lS6b. 
Ucligio-I'hilosophieal    Publishing   Association,    Chicago,    1897. 


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36 

the  circuit. 
in  length  ar 
wire  in  ord< 
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the  well.  ( 
as  the  win 
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measured, 
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wells  it  wa 
part  of  the 
be  slowly  1 
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Most  < 
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airpipes. 
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eduction  pi 
to  lower  tl 
top. 

This  i 
very   satis 
than  10  m 
the   wire 
circuit. 


It  is  i 
of  the  ear 

This 
bly  obtai 
water  roe 
of  692  f 
level  at  pi 
or  230  fe 
water  frc 
drilled  in 
lower  zor 


early  dril 

1  Schui 
Religrio-Ph 


CHEMICAL  CHARACTEK   OF   UNDERGROUND   WATERS  37 

The  hundreds  of  deep  wells  drilled  in  this  area  since  1864,  have 
drawn  exhaustively  upon  the  underground  water  resources,  causing  a 
recession  of  the  artesian-water  table.  The  amount  and  rate  of  lowering 
has  not  been  the  same  everywhere.  It  is  in  those  localities  where  many 
wells  of  large  yield  have  been  drilled  that  the  recession  is  the  most 
marked.  This  is  particularly  noted  in  Chicago  and  immediate  vicinity. 
The  tabulated  data  indicate  the  recession  and  its  rate  in  the  different 
localities  and  the  length  of  period  over  which  the  measurements  extend. 
In  general  it  will  be  seen  that  the  recession  is  most  rapid  where  develop- 
ment is  greatest,  a  striking  example  being  Chicago  and  vicinity. 

Detailed  notes  on  recession  will  be  found  under  the  discussions  of 
individual  localities. 

CHEMICAL  CHARACTER  OF  UNDERGROUND  WATERS 
General  Statement 

In  the  collection  of  the  data  for  this  report  the  chief  attention  was 
centered  upon  the  deep  artesian  wells  of  the  area.  Such  wells,  1,000  or 
more  feet  in  depth,  are  the  great  producers  of  water.  Essentially  every 
municipal  supply  obtained  from  such  wells  was  examined.  Likewise  in 
the  different  localities  samples  of  water  were  collected  from  the  wells  at 
the  larger  factories.  Only  a  few  analyses  were  made  of  the  water  from 
small  private  wells.  In  a  locality  the  purpose  was  always  to  obtain  the 
knowledge  of  the  ground  water  that  would  be  of  the  most  importance. 
Wherever  it  was  possible  to  secure  samples  of  the  water  from  different 
depths  this  was  done. 

The  analyses  given  in  this  report,  with  only  a  few  exceptions,  were 
made  in  the  laboratory  of  the  State  Water  Survey.  The  larger  number 
of  the  analyses — about  115 — was  made  by  the  rapid  method  of  boiler- 
water  analysis  used  in  this  laboratory.  The  determinations  made  include 
residue  on  evaporation,  nitrates,  chlorine,  alkalinity,  iron,  sulphates, 
magnesium,  and  non-carbonate  hardness.  The  first  four  determinations 
are  made  according  to  the  well-known  methods.  Iron  is  determined 
colorimetrically  upon  a  100  c.  c.  portion.  Sulphates  are  determined 
gravimetrically  upon  a  250  c.  c.  portion.  Magnesium  is  determined 
volumetrically  by  means  of  a  solution  of  lime  water  upon  a  100  c.  c. 
portion  which  has  been  neutralized  with  sulphuric  acid.  Non-carbonate 
hardness  is  determined  volumetrically  in  a  200  c.  c.  portion  by  means  of 
N-20  soda  reagent.  Hypothetical  combinations  of  ions  have  been  cal- 
culated from  these  results.  This  method  of  analysis  is  comparatively 
rapid,  but  nevertheless  indicates  the  essential  characteristics  of  the  water. 
The  few  mineral  analyses  did  not  differ  essentially  from  those  made  by 
the  rapid  method.  The  mineral  analyses  are  somewhat  more  complete 
and  include  small  amounts  of  the  less  important  salts. 


38  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

It  would  have  been  possible  to  include  a  larger  number  of  analyses 
by  also  taking  those  made  by  the  chemists  of  the  various  railroads,  water- 
softening  companies,  and  other  industries.  However,  by  having  the 
analyses  made  by  one  institution,  and  by  the  same  methods  it  was  easier 
to  make  comparisons  between  the  different  waters. 

Since  the  mineral  content  of  the  water  from  any  individual  well  is 
influenced  by  a  number  of  factors,  a  knowledge  of  the  conditions  under 
which  the  sample  was  collected  is  of  prime  importance.  Such  data  were 
obtained,  as  far  as  possible,  by  the  writer  at  the  time  the  sample  of 
water  was  collected. 

Factors  Affecting  the  Chemical  Character  of  Well  Waters 

It  would  ordinarily  be  supposed  that  in  a  small  area  artesian  wells 
of  the  same  depth  and  penetrating  the  same  water-bearing  formation 
should  yield  similar  water.  However,  such  is  not  always  the  case.  Ex- 
amples of  variations  in  the  chemical  character  of  waters  from  wells  of 
the  same  depth  will  be  found  under  the  discussion  of  Chicago,  Kanka- 
kee, and  other  localities.  The  factors  that  determine  the  mineral  char- 
acter of  deep  well  water  are  depth  of  well,  amount  and  condition  of 
preservation  of  well  casing,  rate  of  pumping,  and  age  of  well. 

The  depth  of  the  well  is  a  factor  in  that  the  water  from  the  same 
formation  in  a  certain  locality,  as  a  city,  is  essentially  of  a  uniform 
character,  provided  that  the  formation  is  not  subdivided  into  a  number 
of  smaller  members  containing  waters  of  different  characters.  It  is  the 
addition  of  water  in  varying  amounts  from  upper  strata  that  causes 
the  difference  in  the  waters  from  wells  of  the  same  depth.  If  wells  of 
the  same  depth  also  contained  the  same  amount  of  tight  casing,  little 
variation  in  the  chemical  character  of  the  water  would  be  noted. 

However,  the  deep  wells  in  this  area  have  generally  only  enough 
casing  to  prevent  the  caving  of  any  soft  formations  that  were  encoun- 
tered in  drilling.  The  casing  as  thus  used  is  not  for  the  purpose  of 
excluding  water. 

The  usual  method  of  casing  is  to  place  heavy,  standard,  iron  pipe 
down  to  bed  rock,  where  a  tight  joint  is  made,  either  by  using  cement 
or  by  driving  the  pipe,  to  which  an  iron  shoe  is  attached  firmly  into  the 
bed  rock.  A  lighter  pipe,  or  the  regulation  casing,  is  used  to  shut  off 
the  Maquoketa  shale.  Another  caving  formation,  immediately  below 
the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  usually  requires  50  to  60  feet  of  casing.  Some 
of  the  more  recently  drilled  large  wells  have,  besides  the  surface  pipe, 
another  casing  extending  from  the  surface  to  a  depth  below  the  Maquo- 
keta shale.  A  tight  joint  is  here  made  in  the  Galena-Platteville  lime- 
stone. This  casing,  unless  it  has  deteriorated  through  age,  excludes  all 
surface  and  Niagaran  limestone  water. 


CHEMICAL  CHAEACTEES  OF  UNDERGROUND  WATERS  39 

Wells  cased  only  with  the  surface  pipe  obtain  water  not  only  from 
the  deep-seated,  water-bearing  strata,  but  also  from  the  overlying  beds. 
The  water  in  most  wells  added  from  the  upper  formations,  as  the  Nia- 
garan  limestone,  Galena-Platteville,  and  upper  part  of  the  Lower  Mag- 
nesian,  is  only  a  small  amount.  In  some  places,  however,  these  limestone 
formations  may  contain  numerous  crevices  which  are  natural  water 
channels.  In  such  cases,  it  may  be  possible  for  the  final  water  obtained 
from  the  well  to  have  been  considerably  altered  by  the  addition  of  this 
water  present  in  the  crevices.  Further,  two  or  more  water-bearing 
strata,  the  static  heads  of  which  do  not  differ  greatly,  may  be  penetrated 
in  drilling.  The  absence  of  casing  in  such  instances  may  cause  a  highly 
mineralized  water  from  one  stratum  to  greatly  affect  the  better  waters 
from  other  beds. 

In  wells  completely  cased  to  the  water-bearing  stratum,  the  rate 
of  pumping  would  have  no  effect,  but  such  wells  in  this  region  are  few. 
The  rate  of  pumping  may  be  a  factor  of  great  importance  in  determining 
the  chemical  character  of  the  waters  from  many  artesian  wells  in  the 
area  that  are  not  completely  cased  to  the  aquifer.  As  a  general  rule 
the  static  head  of  the  artesian  waters  is  below  that  of  the  ground  water 
table,  and  therefore  this  water  runs  into  the  deep  well.  In  some  locali- 
ties the  limestone  underlying  the  drift  contains  many  crevices  filled  with 
water  which  flows  into  the  well  from  the  upper  zone  and  escapes  through 
the  deep-seated  water-bearing  stratum.  This  same  principle  is  some- 
times used  by  drillers  to  test  the  capacity  of  a  well;  the  rise  in  the  water 
level  in  the  well  when  a  certain  amount  is  poured  into  it  being  equal  to 
the  lowering  of  the  level  when  the  same  amount  is  pumped  from  it. 
However,  such  tests  are  not  always  conclusive  in  uncased  wells,  as 
crevices  may  be  present  that  do  not  contain  water  but  will  nevertheless 
carry  away  the  water  that  is  poured  into  the  well. 

To  illustrate  the  effect  of  the  rate  of  pumping  upon  the  chemical 
character  of  the  water,  consider  a  1,600-foot  well  cased  with  75  feet 
of  surface  pipe,  drawing  its  water  from  a  200-foot  sandstone  encoun- 
tered at  1,400  feet.  The  artesian-water  level  is  150  feet  below  the  sur- 
face, and  the  ground-water  table  is  40  feet  below  the  ground  level. 
Further,  let  the  bed  rock  be  a  creviced  limestone  that  contains  a  notable 
amount  of  water  and  consider  that  its  mineral  content  is  400  parts  per 
million.  Suppose  that  the  water  from  the  200-foot,  or  lower,  sandstone 
has  a  chemical  content  of  1,200  parts  per  million. 

Now  if  water  from  the  creviced  limestone  runs  into  the  well  at  a 
rate  of  25  to  50  gallons  per  minutes,  this  will  be  practically  the  only  kind 
of  water  pumped  from  the  well,  provided  that  the  rate  of  pumping  is 
not  over  25  to  50  gallons  per  minute.     Very  little  of  the  water  with  the 


40  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

higher  mineral  content  from  the  lower  zone  will  be  obtained  from  the 
well.  However,  as  the  rate  of  pumping  increases  the  proportion  of 
the  upper  zone  water  will  gradually  grow  less  and  less.  Therefore,  when 
the  yield  is  hundreds  of  gallons  per  minute,  the  water  delivered  from 
the  well  will  be  essentially  that  from  the  lower  strata.  A  well  that  is 
pumped  for  an  hour  or  so  and  then  allowed  to  remain  idle  for  a  corre- 
sponding length  of  time,  will  deliver  water  which  will  have  a  mineral 
content  varying  with  the  time  the  sample  was  collected.  For  this  reason 
it  is  possible  to  have  two  neighboring  wells  of  the  same  elevation,  same 
depth,  same  amount  of  casing,  which  yield  different  kinds  of  water, 
because  from  one  a  much  greater  amount  of  water  is  pumped  than  from 
the  other. 

The  age  of  the  well  is  a  factor  in  determining  the  chemical  content 
of  the  water  obtained  in  that  it  may  have  become  partly  filled  and  the 
lower  water-bearing  formations  shut  off.  Shale  formations  encountered 
in  drilling  may  have  caved  or  "bridged"  over  the  hole ;  in  case  the  shale 
had  originally  been  cased  off,  the  pipe  may  have  been  worn  through  by 
the  corroding  action  of  the  waters,  thus  permitting  the  shale  to  cave.  In 
such  cases  the  water  obtained  from  the  well  is  only  from  the  upper 
strata.  Usually  cleaning  out  the  well  will  give  an  increased  yield,  al- 
though the  character  of  water  obtained  may  be  entirely  different  from 
that  delivered  before  cleaning. 

Hydrogen  Sulphide 
general  statement 

Hydrogen  sulphide  (H,S)  is  a  gas  with  an  odor  similar  to  rotten 
eggs.  It  occurs  dissolved  in  some  ground  waters,  which  are  usually 
spoken  of  as  sulphurous.  It  is  corrosive  when  present  in  amounts  suffi- 
cient to  be  noted  by  taste  or  odor.  Its  presence  is  objectionable  in  the 
waters  used  in  such  industries  as  laundries,  dye  works,  and  bakeries. 

Through  hydrogen  sulphide  is  encountered  in  considerable  quantity 
in  but  two  water-bearing  strata  of  this  region,  yet  it  has  seemed  worth 
while  to  discuss  it  at  this  point,  because  its  presence  in  abundance  pro- 
duces such  noticeable  effects  on  the  nature  and  usefulness  of  the  water, 
and  because  many  large  and  important  wells,  particularly  in  the  Chicago 
area,  yield  water  with  a  very  high  content  of  the  gas. 

METHODS    OF    ANALYSIS 

Assays  of  the  waters  of  representative  wells  in  Chicago  and  vicinity 
were  made  in  the  field  by  H.  J.  Weiland  of  the  State  Water  Survey,  who 
assisted  the  writer  during  the  summer  of  1914. 

The  standard  method  of  analysis  was  used  except  for  slight  modifi- 
cations for  convenience  in  the  field1  The  water  to  be  tested  was  poured 
into  a  liter  bottle  graduated  at  intervals  of   10  c.  c,  until  the  500  c.  c. 

1  American   Public   Health  Association,  1912,  p.   69. 


CHEMICAL    CHARACTEKS     OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS  41 

mark  was  reached.  Then  10  c.  c.  of  one  hundredth  normal  iodine  and 
1  gram  of  potassium  iodide  were  added.  After  sufficient  time  had  elapsed 
(2  or  3  minutes)  to  permit  the  reaction  to  reach  equilibrium,  the  excess 
iodine  was  determined  by  titration  with  one  hundredth  normal  sodium 
thiosulphate  until  a  straw  color  was  obtained.  One  cubic  centimeter 
starch  solution  was  then  added  and  the  titration  continued  until  the  blue 
color  disappeared.  The  hydrogen  sulphide  in  parts  per  million  is  cal- 
culated by  multiplying  the  difference  in  the  number  of  cubic  centimeters 
of  iodine  and  sodium  thiosulphate  used,  by  the  factor  0.34. 

OCCURRENCE 
NIAGARAN    WATERS 

The  wells  in  Chicago,  a  few  hundred  feet  in  depth  and  which  pene- 
trate the  Niagaran  formation,  yield  a  water  of  low  mineral  content  and 
variable  amounts  of  hydrogen  sulphide.  The  determinations  are  given  in 
the  mineral  analyses  in  the  appendix.  The  average  amount  in  the  34 
assays  made  was  1.31  parts  per  million;  the  range  was  from  .39  to  5.87 
parts  per  million.  The  average  content  is  sufficient  to  give  the  water  a 
somewhat  sulphurous  taste  and  a  slight  odor.  The  source  of  the  hydrogen 
sulphide  in  the  Niagaran  limestone  waters  has  not  been  determined. 
Occasionally  small  bits  of  iron  pyrites  are  found  in  the  drillings  from 
this  formation.  It  may  be  that  some  of  the  hydrogen  sulphide  is  formed 
through  solution  and  hydrolosis  of  the  pyrite.  The  Niagaran  limestone 
in  places  as  at  Stony  Island  shows  blotches  of  a  bituminous  substance. 
In  view  of  the  prevalence  of  hydrogen  sulphide  in  petroleum-bearing 
rocks,  this  may  be  the  explanation  for  its  occurrence  in  the  Niagaran 
limestone.  It  may  be  mentioned  in  this  connection,  that  a  little  gas  and 
some  petroliferous  substance  were  encountered  in  the  Niagaran  limestone 
in  drilling  a  well  on  the  estate  of  Ogden  Armour  in  Lake  County. 

DEEP    WELL    WATERS 

Early  in  the  investigations  it  was  noted  that  the  waters  from  some 
of  the  deep  wells  were  sulphurous.  These  waters  had  all  the  character- 
istics of  Niagaran  limestone  water,  such  as  similar  mineral  analyses,  low 
temperatures,  and  noticeable  amounts  of  hydrogen  sulphide. 

The  explanation  of  the  similarity  of  the  deep-well  waters  to  those 
from  the  Niagaran  limestone  is  to  be  found  in  leakage  into  uncased  wells 
from  this  formation.  These  wells  are  cased  only  to  the  bed  rock,  or 
Niagaran  limestone.  Therefore  if  a  well  is  of  small  bore  and  the  pump 
is  not  operated  at  a  much  greater  rate  than  the  water  from  the  Niagaran 
limestone  flows  into  the  well,  the  final  yield  will  resemble  that  from  this 
upper  formation  to  a  greater  extent  than  that  from  the  lower  strata. 

The  amount  of  water  obtainable  from  the  Niagaran  limestone  does 
not  exceed  20  to  40  gallons  per  minute.    If  a  1,600-foot  well  is  not  operat- 


42  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

ing  at  a  greater  rate  than  50  to  75  gallons  per  minute,  the  greater  amount 
of  the  water  obtained  is  from  the  Niagaran.  As  the  rate  of  pumpage  in- 
creases, more  and  more  water  is  drawn  from  the  lower  strata  and  the 
per  cent  of  dilution  from  the  upper  waters  becomes  less.  If  the  well  is 
delivering  200  or  more  gallons  per  minute,  the  amount  obtained  from  the 
Niagaran  limestone  becomes  negligible. 

It  was  noted  that  the  hydrogen  sulphide  content  in  waters  from  wells 
pumped  by  air  was  less  than  that  from  those  pumped  by  deep-well  pumps. 
This  is  because  the  air  oxidizes  the  hydrogen  sulphide  according  to  the 
following  reaction : 

2H2S+02==2H20+2S. 
In  one  well  at  River  Forest  small  particles  of  sulphur  were  found  in  the 
water  of  the  discharge  tank. 

In  Chicago  and  its  immediate  vicinity  the  waters  from  the  deep  wells 
that  deliver  200  and  more  gallons  per  minute  do  not  commonly  contain 
over  .3  parts  per  million  and  in  many  instances  less.  However,  this  does 
not  apply  universally  to  the  deep  wells  of  the  area,  for  the  St.  Peter 
water  in  many  places  is  sulphurous. 

TEMPERATURES  OF  UNDERGROUND  WATERS 

General  Statement 

It  is  commonly  known  that  the  waters  from  the  shallow  wells  are 
cooler  than  those  which  come  from  the  deep,  artesian  strata.  This  in- 
dicates that  there  is  an  increase  in  the  temperature  of  the  rocks  them- 
selves as  the  greater  depths  are  penetrated.  This  is  shown  further  by 
the  temperature  determinations  that  have  been  made  in  mines  and  deep 
borings,  some  of  which  extend  to  depths  of  over  a  mile.  The  rate  of 
increase  in  temperature  as  the  earth's  crust  is  penetrated  is  called  the 
geothermal  gradient. 

The  geothermal  gradient  for  that  part  of  the  earth's  crust  as  deep 
as  it  is  known  is  generally  assumed  to  be  on  the  average  1  degree  Centi- 
grade for  30  meters  or  1  degree  Fahrenheit  for  55  feet.  In  connection 
with  the  present  study  of  the  underground  waters  of  northeastern  Illinois 
it  was  decided  to  determine  the  temperatures  of  the  well  waters  wherever 
practicable,  and  then  to  compare  the  geothermal  gradient  obtained  from 
these  results  with  those  existing  in  other  regions. 

Methods  of  Obtaining  Temperature 
The  temperatures  were  taken  with  an  accurate  chemical  thermom- 
eter graduated  in  degrees,  and  the  tenths  of  a  degree  were  estimated. 
The  thermometer  was  held  in  the  water  as  it  issued  from  the  mouth  of 
the  well  and  the  reading  obtained  without  removing  the  instrument.     It 


TEMPERATURE   OF  UNDERGROUND   WATERS  43 

must  be  considered  whether  this  temperature  represents  that  of  the 
water-bearing  formation.  These  artesian  wells  usually  obtain  the  water 
from  one  main  stratum,  although  in  the  deeper  wells  there  may  be  two 
or  more  productive  formations.  The  waters  of  the  shallow  depths  are 
much  cooler  than  those  from  the  lower  horizons.  Therefore  in  obtain- 
ing the  temperature  of  a  deep- well  water  it  must  be  decided  whether  the 
lower,  warmer  waters  have  been  diluted  by  the  cooler  ones  from  the 
upper   horizons. 

The  wells  in  practically  the  entire  area  have  only  about  75"  feet  of 
surface  pipe  and  200  feet  of  casing  for  the  Maquoketa  shale.  In  case 
any  other  caving  formations  are  encountered  they  are  also  cased  off. 
The  casing  as  thus  used  excludes  very  little  water.  Although  these  un- 
cased limestones  generally  contain  only  a  small  amount  of  water,  in 
exceptional  cases  they  afford  abundant  supplies.  An  example  of  a  large 
amount  of  cool,  upper-zone  waters  entering  a  well  is  at  Kankakee ;  the 
conditions  which  exist  at  this  locality  are  explained  later. 

It  is  generally  possible  to  determine  whether  the  deep-well  waters 
have  been  diluted  to  any  considerable  extent  by  surface  waters,  because 
of  differences  in  chemical  character  and  temperatures.  The  method  of 
pumping  is  also  likely  to  alter  the  temperature  one  way  or  another. 

Chicago  Well  Waters 

The  temperatures  of  the  well  waters  in  Chicago  are  believed  to 
represent  essentially  those  of  the  water-bearing  formations,  because  of 
certain  conditions,  given  below,  that  exist  in  this  locality.  In  this  city 
a  large  number  of  wells  exceed  1,500  feet  in  depth,  so  that  many  tem- 
perature tests  could  be  made.  The  temperatures  given  are  of  wells 
pumped  at  a  high  rate,  at  least  200  gallons  per  minute  and  ranging  up 
to  1,500  gallons.  Therefore,  although  the  wells  have  only  enough  casing 
for  the  surface  material  and  any  other  caving  formations  that  may  be 
encountered,  the  small  amount  of  surface  water  that  may  get  into  the 
well  has  practically  no  effect  in  cooling  the  lower  waters.  Further  proof 
that  this  deep  well  water  is  from  the  lower  strata  is  that  the  chemical 
analysis  is  much  different  from  that  of  the  shallow  well  water.  The 
quantity  of  water  that  can  be  obtained  from  the  shallow  wells  in  Chicago 
is  small.  The  average  Niagaran  limestone  well  does  not  yield  over  20 
gallons  per  minute,  and  in  many  cases  the  yield  is  much  less. 

Most  of  these  deep  wells  are  pumped  by  means  of  an  air-lift  system 
and.  the  water  is  thus  discharged  without  passing  through  a  pump. 
There  is  very  little  likelihood  that  the  water  is  heated  by  the  compressed 
air  when  the  high  rates  of  pumping  are  taken  into  consideration.  If 
this  were  the  case  it  would  tend  to  increase  the  gradient  which  is  never- 
theless far  below  the  normal. 


44  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

In  determining  the  geothermal  gradient  it  is  necessary  to  know  the 
temperature  of  the  invariable  horizon.  This  horizon  is  usually  regarded 
as  being  at  about  50  feet  below  the  surface,  although  in  places  it  may  be 
much  deeper.  The  temperature  at  this  depth  is  just  below  the  influences 
of  those  at  the  surface.  The  temperature  of  this  horizon  is  generally 
taken  as  the  average  for  the  locality  as  determined  for  a  period  of  many 
years.  It  is  possible,  if  not  probable,  that  the  temperature  of  the  in- 
variable stratum  is  higher  than  the  mean  annual  temperature  of  a 
locality.  This  has  been  recognized  by  A.  C.  Lane1  and  others.  The 
chief  reason  given  to  explain  the  difference  is  that  the  snow  covering  in 
winter  prevents  the  ground  from  becoming  as  cold  as  the  surface  air. 
This  modification  would  therefore  be  especially  applicable  in  the  tem- 
perate zone  and  in  the  higher  latitudes.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  in  no 
case  was  the  temperature  of  the  water  from  a  shallow  well  in  Chicago 
within  3°  F.  of  the  mean  annual  temperature. 

DEEP    WELLS 
DEPTH   OF    INVARIABLE   STRATUM    AND   TEMPERATURE 

The  annual  temperature  at  Chicago  as  determined  over  a  period  of 
31  years  is  48°  F.  This  figure  is  used  as  the  temperature  of  the  invari- 
able stratum,  which  is  regarded  as  lying  at  a  depth  of  50  feet.  In  the 
table  of  temperatures  of  deep  well  waters  of  Chicago  the  calculations 
have  been  made  on  a  basis  of  50°  F.  as  the  invariable  temperature  as 
well  as  on  a  basis  of  48°  F.  As  the  drilling  has  usually  passed  through 
the  water-bearing  formation,  the  temperature  of  the  water  obtained  can 
not  be  said  to  be  the  same  as  that  at  the  bottom  of  the  well.  The  water- 
bearing formation  in  Chicago  of  the  1,650-foot  type  of  wells  is  usually 
about  200  feet  in  thickness.  Therefore  in  the  geothermal  calculations 
the  maximum  depth  is  taken  as  about  100  feet  less  than  the  depth  of 
the  well.     In  the  deeper  wells  a  similar  reduction  is  used. 

GEOTHERMAL    GRADIENTS 

The  table  of  the  Chicago  wells  (Table  2)  includes  only  the  most 
reliable  readings  that  have  been  taken.  The  average  temperature  of 
wells  of  the  1,650-foot  class  is  59.4°  F.  This  would  give  a  geothermal 
gradient  of  132  feet  per  1°  F.  if  the  temperature  of  the  invariable  stratum 
is  taken  to  be  4<S°  F.  and  its  depth  50  feet.  A  depth  of  1,550  feet 
is  taken  to  represent  the  horizon  yielding  the  greatest  amount  of  water. 
If  the  calculations  are  made  in  an  assumption  that  the  invariable 
temperature  is  50°  F.  the  geothermal  gradient  would  be  160  feet  per  1°  F. 

In  the  wells  over  2,000  feet  in  depth  the  temperature  of  the  water 
is  about   63.4°  F.   and  the  gradient   is  about   128   feet  per   1°  F.     The 


Lane,  A.  C,  Michigan  Geo!.  &  Biol.  Survey,  Vol.  2,  p.  759,   1911. 


TEMPERATURE  OF  UNDERGROUND  WATERS 


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46 


ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


second  water-bearing  stratum  is  struck  in  Chicago  at  about  1,900  feet, 
and  the  water  obtained  is  a  few  degrees  warmer  than  that  from  the 
zone  between  1,400  and  1,600  feet. 

SHALLOW    WELLS 

A  number  of  temperatures  of  shallow  well  waters  were  obtained, 
but  they  are  not  considered  important  as  indicative  of  rock  temperatures 
(Table  3).  There  are  a  number  of  reasons  why  the  shallow  well  data 
are  not  comparable  with  those  of  the  deeper  wells.  These  wells  vary  in 
depth  from  less  than  200  to  more  than  500  feet,  and  the  water  is  in 
crevices  of  the  limestone.  It  is  possible  that  in  a  well  400  feet  deep  the 
greater  amount  of  water  is  obtained  from  crevices  less  than  100  feet 
below  the  surface.  Therefore,  the  water  temperatures  of  wells  200  and 
400  feet  in  depth  might  be  the  same.  It  is  likewise  not  possible  to 
obtain  the  temperatures  until  the  water  has  passed  through  the  pumps, 
which  very  probably  affect  the  results.  The  amounts  pumped  are  usually 
less  than  20  gallons  per  minute.  This  makes  it  possible  for  changes  to 
occur  between  the  original  temperature  of  the  water  in  the  well  and  that 
obtained  at  the  surface. 

The  results  primarily  indicate  the  average  temperature  of  the  shal- 
low well  waters  in  Chicago  as  delivered  from  the  pumps.  It  is  not 
advisable   to    construct   geothermal   gradients    from   these    data. 

Table  3. — Temperatures   of  toaters  from  shallow  wells  in   Chicago 


Owner 


Depth 


Pumpage 


Tempera- 
ture 


Bissel  Laundry 

Bunge  Vinegar  Works 

Drexel  Arms  Hotel 

Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Co 

Miller  and  Hart 

J.  Mohr  &  Sons 

Murray  &  Nichel 

Norris  Elevator  Co 

Rialto  Elevator  Co 

J.  Rosenbaum  Grain  Co. '. . . . 
Star  &  Crescent  Milling  Co 
Willard  Sons,  Bell  &  Co.. . . 

Wisconsin  Steel  Co 

Winamac  Apartment 

Average 


Feet 
? 

312 
185 
365 
300 
350 
286 
348 
401 
502 
340 
187 
405 
400 


337 


Hal.  per 

min. 

25 

10 

8 
15 
12 
35 
30 
30 
15 

6 
15 

7 
20 
20 


IS 


Degrees  F. 
52.6 
50.8 
54.1 
54.0 
53.2 
55.8 
55.0 
55.9 
53.1 
54.5 
52.9 
55.6 
54.5 
53.8 


53.9 


47 


calities 
ive  not 
stances 
water 
varying 
hrough 
•umped 
unt  of 
h  that 
ed  the 

shown 
mature 
Belvi- 
:rature 
le  that 
d  feet 
e  case 
feet  in 
:  from 
.5°  F. 
larked 
th  the 
lineral 
proxi- 
Dy  the 
reater 

mder- 
antity 
1,81.2- 
5  feet 
other 
kakee 
•  level 
rence 
L,847- 
in  the 
head 
vol  is 


46 

second  water-bea 
and  the  water  o 
zone  between  1,4 

A  number  c 
but  they  are  not 
(Table  3).     The 
are  not  comparal 
depth  from  less 
crevices  of  the  li 
greater  amount 
below  the  surfac 
400   feet  in  dep" 
obtain  the  tempe 
which  very  prob; 
less  than  20  gall 
occur  between  tr 
obtained  at  the  s 

The  results 
low  well  waters 
advisable   to    coi 

Table  3.— T* 


Bissel  Laundry. . 
Bunge  Vinegar  "W 
Drexel  Arms  Hot( 
Lehigh  Valley  Coi 
Miller  and  Hart. . 
J.  Mohr&Sons. .. 
Murray  &  Nichel. 
Norris  Elevator  C 
Rialto  Elevator  C 
J.  Rosenbaum  Gr* 
Star  &  Crescent 
Willard  Sons,  Bel 
Wisconsin  Steel  ( 
Winamac  Apartm 

Average 


TEMPERATURE    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS  47 

Well  Waters  Outside  Chicago 
deep  wells 

Temperatures  of  well  waters  have  also  been  obtained  in  localities 
in  this  area  outside  of  Chicago  (Table  4).  These,  as  a  whole,  have  not 
been  so  satisfactory  as  those  determined  in  Chicago.  In  many  instances 
it  was  not  possible  to  take  the  temperature  immediately  after  the  water 
issued  from  the  well,  but  only  after  it  had  flowed  through  varying 
amounts  of  pipe.  Likewise,  in  most  cases  the  water  first  passed  through 
pumps,  an  operation  that  affects  the  temperature.  The  amounts  pumped 
were  usually  less  than  those  in  Chicago,  and  thus  a  greater  amount  of 
the  cool  upper-zone  waters  was  permitted  to  become  mixed  with  that 
from  lower  depths.  The  temperatures  given  are  those  considered  the 
most  reliable. 

The  effects  of  the  surface  ground  water  entering  the  well  are  shown 
in  a  few  cases  where  the  water  from  a  deep  well  is  similar  in  temperature 
to  that  from  one  only  a  few  hundred  feet  in  depth.  The  well  at  Belvi- 
dere  has  a  depth  of  1,803  feet,  and  the  water  should  have  a  temperature 
of  at  least  59°  F.,  whereas  it  is  only  52.6°  F.  It  is  very  probable  that 
a  large  amount  of  the  water  is  from  horizons  only  a  few  hundred  feet 
below  the  surface.  Another  anomaly  is  seen  at  Kankakee,  in  the  case 
of  two  wells  only  275  feet  apart.  The  wells  are  1,812  and  1,847  feet  in 
depth,  and  the  pumpage  is  approximately  250  gallons  per  minute  from 
each.  The  temperature  of  the  water  from  the  1,812-foot  well  is  61.5°  F. 
and  that  from  the  1,847-foot  well  is  56.2°  F.  There  is  also  a  marked 
difference  in  the  chemical  character  of  the  waters.  The  water  with  the 
higher  temperature  contains  a  much  greater  amount  of  dissolved  mineral 
matter  than  the  one  with  the  lower  temperature.  The  wells  are  approxi- 
mately the  same  depths,  but  the  anomaly  is  made  more  striking  by  the 
fact  that  the  cooler  water  is  furnished  by  the  well  of  slightly  greater 
depth. 

The  difference  in  temperatures  is  due  to  the  entrance  of  cool,  under- 
ground surface  water  into  one  well  at  a  greater  rate  than  the  quantity 
pumped.  This  water  is  prevented  from  entering  the  other,  the  1,812- 
foot  well,  by  means  of  the  surface  casing.  This  surface  pipe  is  75  feet 
in  length  in  the  1,847-foot  or  cool-water  well,  and  100  feet  in  the  other 
one.  The  locations  are  only  a  few  hundred  feet  from  the  Kankakee 
River  and  the  curb  elevations  are  not  over  12  feet  above  the  water  level 
in  the  river.  It  may  also  be  mentioned  that  there  is  a  great  difference 
in  the  static  head  of  the  waters  in  the  two  wells.  The  level  in  the  1,847- 
foot  or  cool-water  well  is  only  51  feet  below  the  surface,  whereas  in  the 
other  one  the  level  is  126  feet.  The  latter  figure  is  the  true  static  head 
of  the  artesian  water  from  the  deep-lying  formations  ;  the  other  level  is 
only   that   of   the   shallow,    underground   water   table. 


48 


ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


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TEMPERATUKE  OF  UNDERGROUND  WATERS  49> 

SHALLOW    WELLS   AND    SPRINGS 

The  temperatures  of  the  shallow-well  waters  at  Downers  Grove,. 
Hinsdale,  Naperville,  Wheaton,  and  West  Chicago  are  of  interest 
(Table  5).  These  towns  are  located  in  a  terminal  morainic  belt  that  has 
rather  inadequate  drainage.  The  heavy  mantle  of  glacial  drift  acts  as  a 
collecting  reservoir  for  the  rainfall.  Consequently  the  shallow  wells  yield 
large  quantities  of  water.  The  temperatures  range  from  50°  F.  to 
52.5°  F.,  and  this  slight  variation  may  be  due  to  some  heating  as  the 
water  passed  through  the  pumps.  The  normal  annual  temperature  at 
these  localities  may  be  taken  to  be  48°  F. ;  it  is  therefore  seen  that  the 
coolest  water  is  yet  2°  F.  warmer  than  the  normal  temperature. 

These  data  were  collected  in  July  and  August  and  the  temperatures 
should  therefore  have  been  the  lowest,  if  they  were  influenced  by  sea- 
sonal changes,  because  the  effect  of  the  annual  variation  in  temperature 
proceeds  so  slowly  downward  from  the  surface  that  at  depths  of  30  or 
40  feet  the  highest  temperatures  will  be  experienced  in  winter  and  the 
lowest  in  summer.1 

GEOTHERMAL  GRADIENTS  IN  GENERAL  NORTHEASTERN  ILLINOIS. 

The  geothermal  gradient  obtained  from  the  preceding  determinations 
of  the  temperatures  of  deep-well  waters  in  northeastern  Illinois  is  seen 
to  be  much  lower  than  the  normal.  It  is  therefore  advisable  to  state 
the  factors  which  may  affect  the  normal  geothermal  gradient  and  then 
consider  them  in  relation  to  the  conditions  that  exist  in  this  area. 

Factors  Affecting  Geothermal  Gradients 
There  are  a  number  of  factors  that  tend  to  affect  the  normal  geo- 
thermal  gradient,   among   which   the    following   cause   a   rapid   increase 
of  temperature : 

1.  Proximity  to  regions  of  recent  eruptive  rocks. 

2.  Regions  of  heat-producing  waters,  where  the  higher  temperatures 
may  be  due  to  recent  igneous  activity  or  to  exothermal  chemical  processes,  as  of 
decomposition. 

3.  Proximity  to  coal-bearing  or  highly  carbonaceous  strata. 

4.  Proximity  to   oil   fields. 

5.  Existence  in  the  vicinity  of  rocks  containing  oxidizable  minerals. 
The  following  factors  have  been  regarded  as  having  a  tendency  to 

lower  the  normal  geothermal  gradient : 
1..    High   ridges  and  mountains. 

2.  Existence  in  the  vicinity  of  large  bodies  of  water. 

3.  Mines  cooled  by  ventilation. 

4.  Very  good  circulation  of  underground  waters. 

It  would  therefore  seem  that  the  normal  gradient  should  exist  in 
regions   of   slight   relief   where   the   rocks   are   unaltered    or   not    recent 


Milham,  W.  I.,  Textbook  on  Meteorology,  page  106,  1912. 


50  AKTESIAN  WATEES   OF  NORTHEASTEBN   ILLINOIS 

eruptives   and   where   the   especially   modifying   influences   which   have 
previously  been  mentioned,  are  absent. 

Application  to  Northeastern  Illinois 
Northeastern  Illinois  has,  as  a  whole,  a  gently  undulating  topog- 
raphy. The  entire  region  is  covered  by  a  mantle  of  glacial  drift  whose 
geological  age  is  comparatively  recent.  The  maximum  difference  of 
elevation  is  about  600  feet.  The  lowest  elevations  are  about  450  feet 
and  are  found  along  Illinois  River;  the  highest  areas  are  near  1,000  feet 
and  occur  along  the  Illinois-Wisconsin  boundary  line.  The  relief  in  any 
locality  is  rarely  over  200  feet  and  is  usually  less.  This  region  can 
therefore  be  considered  as  comparatively  flat,  and  the  modifying  effects 
upon  the  geothermal  gradient  found  in  mountainous  districts  are  here 
absent. 

The  geological  succession  is  a  series  of  magnesian  limestone,  shales, 
and  sandstones.  No  coal-bearing  strata  are  present  in  the  greater  part 
of  the  area;  such  rocks  are  found  in  LaSalle  and  Grundy  counties,  but 
the  temperatures  here  are  of  waters  from  the  underlying  formations 
that  are  much  older  in  age  and  contain  no  coal  beds.  Likewise  most 
of  the  determinations  were  made  on  well  waters  in  Chicago,  at  least 
forty  miles  from  any  coal-bearing  strata.  It  is  also  to  be  noted  that 
highly  carbonaceous  strata  tend  to  increase  the  temperatures,  whereas 
those  obtained  in  Illinois  are  below  the  normal. 

Summary 
All  the  temperatures  of  deep-well  waters  in  northeastern  Illinois 
indicate  a  very  low  geothermal  gradient.  This  is  to  be  expected  when 
the  number  of  favorable  factors  that  here  exist  are  considered.  The 
land  has  very  little  relief ;  no  coal-bearing  nor  petroleum-producing 
strata  are  present.  The  formations  are,  for  the  most  part,  limestones 
and  sandstones.  Occasionally  a  small  bit  of  pyrite  may  be  found  in  the 
limestone,  otherwise  the  rocks  contain  no  oxidizable  minerals.  It  is  not 
thought  that  the  cooling  effect  of  Lake  Michigan  is  of  any  great  im- 
portance, as  the  low  geothermal  gradients  are  noted  at  distances  of  50 
miles  from  the  lake. 

WELLS 

Dug  or  Open  Wells 
The  dug  wells  are  most  commonly  circular  in  shape,  3  to  5  feet  in 
diameter,  and  from  20  to  50  feet  in  depth;  the  walls  are  generally  lined 
with  brick  or  planks.  The  water  enters  the  well  at  the  openings  in  the 
lining  of  the  walls  and  at  the  bottom.  The  common  practice  is  to  dis- 
continue the   well   when  a  sand  or  gravel  stratum  yielding  a  sufficient 


WELLS  51 

supply  of  water  has  been  penetrated.  A  few  of  the  smaller  towns  have 
wells  which  are  up  to  20  feet  in  diameter,  with  the  depths  less  than  30 
feet.     Wells  of  this  type  may  be  continued  to  the  bed  rock. 

The  chief  objection  to  dug  wells  is  the  danger  of  pollution.  The 
private  wells  are  protected  only  by  a  plank  top,  in  which  cracks  and 
other  openings  develop  through  warping,  shrinkage,  and  other  causes. 
Therefore  surface  water,  carrying  dirt  from  the  shoes,  domestic  fowls, 
and  other  sources  is  washed  into  the  well.  The  liquids  from  the  barns, 
cesspools,  and  other  outhouses  seep  into  the  ground  and  form  a  part  of 
the  underground  waters.  Therefore  shallow  wells  in  the  vicinity  of  such 
buildings  are  subject  to  contamination.  The  water  from  such  shallow 
wells  has  in  many  localities  been  the  cause  of  serious  epidemics  of 
typhoid  fever. 

If  dug  wells  are  necessary,  the  coverings  should  be  water  tight, 
and  a  casing  of  the  same  character  should  be  sunk  into  the  ground  as 
far  as  practicable.  Pumps  should  be  used  in  preference  to  the  old- 
fashioned  rope  and  bucket.  No  pools  of  foul  or  stagnant  water  should 
be  permitted  around  any  well. 

Another  disadvantage  to  most  dug  wells  is  the  limited  supply  and 
fluctuation  of  the  ground-water  table.  In  times  of  drought  when  water 
is  needed  the  most,  these  shallow  wells  frequently  go  dry.  Deeper  wells 
of  smaller  bore  are  more  dependable. 

Driven  Wells 

Driven  wells  are  not  common  in  this  region.  These  wells  consist 
of  a  pipe  fitted  with  a  porous  section  or  "sand  point",  which  is  driven 
into  sandy  or  unconsolidated  material  either  by  mallets  wielded  by  hand, 
or  by  an  apparatus  somewhat  similar  to  a  pile  driver. 

Drilled  Wells  of  Small  Bore 
general  description 

Drilled  wells  are  gradually  supplanting  dug  wells  and  at  the  present 
time  this  is  the  prevalent  type  for  small  municipalities  and  the  larger 
farms.  Most  of  these  are  from  four  to  eight  inches  in  diameter  at  the 
surface,  six  inches  being  a  common  size,  and  the  depth  is  from  one  to 
four  or  five  hundred  feet.  These  wells  are  drilled  by  the  percussion 
method  or  churn  drills  by  which  the  rock  is  broken  up  by  the  repeated 
blows  of  the  drill  suspended  at  the  end  of  a  cable.  The  drillings  are  re- 
moved at  frequent  intervals  by  lowering  a  sand  pump  or  bailer.  Most  of 
these  wells  are  drilled  with  a  portable  outfit  in  contrast  to  the  "standard 
rig"  used  in  drilling  the  larger  wells.     Over  much  of  this  area  limestone 


52  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

is  the  bed  rock,  and  the  drilled  wells  are  cased  to  rock ;  then  the  drilling 
is  continued  with  a  hole  of  less  diameter  until  a  sufficient  supply  of  water 
has  been  obtained. 

Most  of  the  wells  that  end  in  a  sand  or  gravel  bed  in  the  drift  are 
completely  cased  from  the  surface  to  the  bottom.  In  some  wells  a  screen 
is  placed  at  the  end  of  the  casing,  or  the  lower  length  of  the  pipe  is  per- 
forated with  a  number  of  small  holes. 

COSTS   OF   DRILLING 

The  shallow  rock  wells  are  from  100  up  to  400  or  500  feet  in  depth 
and  are  cased  to  bed  rock.  The  cost  depends  primarily  upon  the  depth 
and  diameter  of  the  hole.  However,  there  is  some  variation  in  the  prices 
charged  by  the  different  drillers.  The  table  below  probably  represents  the 
average  cost,  which  includes  ordinary  iron  pipe  casing  to  rock,  the  con- 
tractor furnishing  all  necessary  supplies  and  tools  for  drilling. 

COSTS   OF   DRILLING   SHALLOW   ROCK   WELLS 

Diameter  of  hole  Price  per  foot8 

3  inch ...$1.25— $1.50 

4  inch    1.50—1.75 

6  inch    2 .  00—  2 .  25  \^  * 

a  Includes    casing1    to    bed    rock. 

Drilled  Wells  of  Large  Bore 
drilling  process 

METHODS   EMPLOYED  *> 

The"  deep  artesian  wells  of  Illinois  are  in  general  drilled  by  the  per- 
cussion method.  The  rock  is  pounded  to  small  bits  by  the  repeated  blows 
of  a  heavy  drill  or  bit  suspended  by  a  cable  or  a  number  of  wooden  poles 
jointed  together.  This  and  other  methods  of  drilling  and  the  necessary 
apparatus  are  described  in  detail  by  Isaiah  Bowman.1  It  will  here  suffice 
to  mention  only  those  phases  of  drilling  and  types  of  wells  which  are 
characteristic  of  this  area. 

Two  types  of  "outfits,"  as  all  the  necessary  tools  and  other  appli- 
ances for  drilling  are  called,  are  in  use.  These  are  termed  the  standard 
and  the  portable.  In  using  the  standard  outfit  it  is  necessary  to  have  a 
derrick,  a  pyramidal  framework,  30  to  90  feet  in  height,  erected  over  the 
well  site.  This  derrick  supports  a  crown  block  and  pulley  over  which 
the  cable  passes  in  raising  and  lowering  the  tools.  The  portable  outfit  or 
"rig"  is  a  modified  form  of  the  standard.  The  greater  part  of  the  drilling 
machinery  is  supported  by  a  heavy  framework  usually  mounted  on  wheels, 


1  Bowman,    Isaiah.     Well-drilling    methods:    IT.    S.    Geol.    Survey    Water-Supply 
Paper  No.  257,   1911. 


WELLS  53 

in  order  that  it  may  be  moved  from  place  to  place  by  means  of  horses  or 
a  traction  engine.  The  derrick  is  dispensed  with,  and  instead  a  mast  is 
used  which  can  be  collapsed  and  tilted  back  over  the  machinery  when  the 
outfit  is  being  hauled. 

The  advantages  of  the  portable  outfit  are  its  compactness,  its  easy 
removal  after  the  completion  of  the  well,  and  its  elimination  of  the  der- 
rick. The  standard  outfit  must  be.  completely  torn  down  and  rebuilt  for 
for  each  well.  However,  in  general  the  portable  outfits  do  not  have  the 
strength  of  the  standard  ones  and  are  not  adapted  for  so  deep  nor  as 
heavy  work. 

The  greater  number  of  the  deep  wells  in  Illinois  have  been  drilled 
with  standard  outfits,  either  cable  or  poles  having  been  used.  The  pole 
method  differs  from  the  cable  only  in  that  the  tools  are  supported  by 
wooden  rods  instead  of  by  cable  or  rope.  The  rods  are  from  2  to  3  inches 
in  diameter.  Each  length  of  rod  consists  of  two  18-foot  pieces,  spliced  to- 
gether and  reinforced  at  the  joints  by  irons.  In  drilling  wells  in  this 
region  most  of  the  holes  are  full  of  water,  which  causes  great  friction  on 
the  rope  cable.  By  using  the  wooden  rods  or  poles  the  friction  is  greatly 
reduced,  and  the  drilling  proceeds  more  efficiently.  Formerly  most  of 
the  wells  were  drilled  by  the  pole  method,  but  at  present  this  is  being 
superseded  by  the  use  of  steel  cable  because  the  increased  size  of  hole 
necessitates  the  use  of  much  heavier  drilling  tools. 

Although  most  of  the  wells  in  this  region  have  been  drilled  with  the 
standard  outfit,  in  the  past  two  or  three  years  some  of  the  largest  and 
deepest  holes  have  been  drilled  with  semi-portable  outfits.  A  certain  Chi- 
cago well  contractor  has  had  exceptionally  notable  success  with  the  semi- 
portable  outfit.  A  well  at  Aurora  was  drilled  with  one  of  these  semi- 
portable  outfits  to  a  depth  of  2,263  feet  and  completed  with  a  diameter  at 
the  bottom  of  15  inches. 

DEPTH    OF    WELLS 

The  important  artesian  wells  in  this  area  range  in  depth  from  500  to 
2,700  feet.  The  average  depth  is  influenced  by  the  large  number  of  wells 
in  Chicago  and  vicinity  which  are  about  1,600  feet  in  depth.  It  is  very 
probable  that  the  average  depth  of  the  important  or  large  yielding  wells 
in  northeastern  Illinois  would  be  between  1,600  and  1,800  feet.  The 
deepest  well  in  this  region,  as  far  as  could  be  learned,  is  one  at  Aurora 
which  has  a  depth  of  2,759  feet.  Another  deep  drilling  is  the  one  at 
Streator  with  a  depth  of  2,496  feet.  In  the  Stock  Yards  district  at  Chi- 
cago a  number  of  wells  have  been  drilled  to  depths  greater  than  2,200  feet 
and  possibly  over  2,500  feet,  but  no  accurate  data  could  be  obtained  in 
regard  to  these  very  old  wells. 


54  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Most  of  the  very  deep  wells  were  sunk  for  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing an  overflow  at  the  surface.  This  was  obtained  in  many  places,  but 
usually  the  resulting  water  had  so  high  a  mineral  content  that  it  could  not 
be  used  for  ordinary  purposes.  Many  good  wells  have  been  ruined  by 
continuing  them  to  too  great  a  depth  and  then  encountering  salt  water. 
The  belief  is  common  that  the  deeper  the  hole  the  greater  the  yield ;  there 
is  no  greater  fallacy.  A  greater  head  may  be  obtained  at  a  greater  depth, 
but  not  always  an  increased  yield.  The  practice  at  present  is  to  drill  wells 
of  larger  diameters,  as  these  have  been  found  to  give  the  increased 
yields. 

CASING   OF   WELLS 

The  general  type  of  artesian  well  in  northeastern  Illinois  contains 
very  little  casing,  as  most  of  the  strata  are  hard  and  do  not  cave.  There  is 
always  a  "drive"  or  surface  pipe  which  extends  through  the  drift  to  bed 
rock.  In  those  localities  where  it  is  present  the  Maquoketa  shale  is  usually 
cased  off  with  a  lighter  pipe,  although  in  numerous  wells  it  was  found  to 
have  been  uncased.  Occasionally  some  of  the  lower  strata,  as  a  zone 
below  the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  will  give  a  little  trouble  through  caving. 
These  are  usually  protected  with  a  few  lengths  of  casing.  A  few  wells  in 
this  region  have  been  cased  completely  to  the  water-bearing  formations. 
Such  wells  are  those  at  Proviso  owned  by  the  Chicago,  North  Western 
Railroad  and  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway  wells  at  Ben- 
senville.  The  well  owned  by  Mr.  Moore  at  Lake  Forest  is  of  a  similar 
type.  The  only  well  in  Chicago  having  a  large  amount  of  casing 
is  that  of  Sears  Roebuck  Company.  In  regard  to  the  effect  of 
these  large  amounts  of  casing  upon  quantity  and  quality  of  water  ob- 
tained, the  reader  is  referred  to  the  more  detailed  discussions  under  the 
different  localities. 

SIZE    OF    WELLS 

Naturally  there  is  much  variation  in  the  diameters  of  the  wells.  As 
it  is  always  necessary  to  reduce  the  size  of  the  hole  when  any  casing  is 
placed,  in  order  to  leave  a  shoulder  of  rock  for  the  pipe  to  rest  upon,  the 
wells  are  always  smaller  at  the  bottom  than  at  the  top.  Then  as  the 
drilling  is  easier  and  progresses  more  rapidly  with  a  small  hole,  the 
drillers  prefer  the  lesser  diameters  unless  the  contracts  specify  otherwise. 

Formerly  the  wells  were  much  smaller  in  diameter,  and  if  a  large 
supply  was  desired  the  depth  was  made  as  great  as  possible,  in  many 
instances  without  giving  an  increased  yield,  or  more  wells  were  drilled. 
In  late  years  it  has  been  found  that  it  is  the  wells  of  large  diameter  in 
in  the  water-bearing  formations  that  give  the  great  yields.  Therefore 
such  wells  are  being  constructed.  The  wells  drilled  twenty  years  ago 
rarely  had  a  surface  diameter  over  10  inches,  and  many  of  them  were 


WELLS  55 

only  6  or  8  inches ;  the  bottom  diameter  would  depend  upon  the  depth  and 
the  number  of  lengths  of  casing  that  had  to  be  placed.  In  many  wells 
where  the  hole  became  not  much  over  3  inches  in  diameter  the  drilling 
with  the  old  pole  outfits  became  very  difficult,  as  the  wooden  rods  were 
almost  the  size  of  the  hole.  Most  of  the  wells  now  drilled  for  the  differ- 
ent municipalities  and  large  industrial  plants  have  a  surface  diameter  be- 
tween 12  and  16  inches  and  though  rarely  less  than  6  inches  at  the  bot- 
tom, they  are  more  commonly  8  or  10  inches.  The  deepest  well  of  a  large 
diameter  in  this  region  is  the  2,263-foot  well  at  Aurora  which  has  a 
diameter  of  15  inches  at  the  bottom.  Other  wells  of  large  diameter  are 
at  Rockford,  on  the  Ogden  Armour  estate  at  Lake  Forest,  and  in  the 
Chicago  Stock  Yards  district.  More  data  in  regard  to  these  wells  can  be 
obtained  by  referring  to  the  discussion  of  the  localities  in  which  they  are 
situated. 

COSTS    OF    DEILLING 

There  is  much  greater  variation  in  the  drilling  costs  of  the  deep 
artesian  wells  than  of  those  which  barely  penetrate  the  bed  rock.  The 
cost  of  drilling  these  deep  wells  is  usually  several  thousand  dollars,  so 
that  the  common  practice  is  to  have  a  number  of  drilling  contractors  bid 
upon  a  well.  Some  of  the  factors  which  affect  the  cost  of  drilling  are : 
character  of  strata,  depth  of  well,  diameter  of  hole  at  different  parts, 
amount,  size,  and  kind  of  casing,  whether  steam  and  light  is  furnished 
for  drilling,  whether  a  guarantee  of  a  certain  capacity  is  required,  and 
whether  a  definite  time  of  completion  is  specified.  Also  certain  varia- 
tions in  costs  are  dependent  upon  supply  and  demand.  If  the  contractors 
are  all  busy,  they  are  not  so  likely  to  bid  as  low  on  new  work  as  during 
times  of  less  activity.  A  drilling  firm  with  an  idle  drilling  rig  and  with 
men  that  can  be  secured  at  low  wages  will  bid  lower  than  one  not  thus 
situated.  Likewise  drillers  who  are  noted  for  rapid  and  successful  com- 
pletion of  their  work  will  obtain  contracts  at  higher  rates  than  will  those 
who  do  not  have  this  reputation. 

DEILLERS'    SPECIFICATIONS 

The  usual  mode  of  procedure  for  a  firm  or  municipality  desirous  of 
having  a  well  drilled  is  to  draw  up  a  set  of  specifications,  that  states  the 
different  lengths  of  a  certain  size  hole  that  are  desired,  amount,  size,  and 
kind  of  casing,  and  any  other  description  that  pertains  to  the  type  of 
well  that  is  desired.  Whenever  possible  it  is  best  to  have  a  competent 
supervising  engineer  or  someone  familiar  with  deep  wells  to  decide  upon 
the  kind  of  well  that  will  best  serve  the  purposes  for  which  it  is  desired. 
The  specifications  are  sent  to  recognized  drilling  firms,  and  bids  are 
usually  received,  with  and  without  casing  of  a  definite  size,  or  the  bid 


56  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

may  be  a  definite  sum  for  the  completion  of  the  well  according  to  speci- 
fications. A  few  typical  specifications  will  be  found  on  the  following 
pages. 

By  another  method  the  owner  consults  with  a  well  contractor,  stating 
that  a  well  of  about  a  certain  capacity  is  desired.  The  driller  determines 
from  his  experience  the  size  of  well  required  and  names  a  definite  sum 
for  the  completion  of  such  a  well.  The  driller  may  also  give  the  price  per 
foot  for  the  lengths  of  a  hole  of  a  certain  diameter,  cased  and  uncased, 
a  specification  that  enables  the  owner  to  compare  with  the  prices  of  other 
contractors ;  this  virtually  amounts  to  bidding.  The  best  plan  is  to  have 
specifications  made  and  then  sealed  bids  received  upon  this  basis. 

The  cost  of  a  number  of  recently  drilled  wells  in  this  area  follows 
(Table  6).  Requests  have  been  made  to  withhold  the  names  of  certain 
drillers  and  owners. 


57 


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WELLS  59 


SPECIFICATIONS 


FOR  ARTESIAN  WELL  TO  BE  DRILLED  AND  EQUIPPED  FOR 

COMPANY,  A  CORPORATION  HEREINAFTER  CALLED  THE  OWNER 
Size,  Depth  and  Casing  of  Well. — A  hole  about  18"  in  diameter  is  to  be 
drilled  from  the  surface  of  the  ground  to  a  water  tight  connection  into  the 
rock  at  whatever  distance  below  the  surface  located,  and  same  is  to  be  cased  off 
with  18"  outside  diameter  pipe  %"  thick,  butted  joints,  extra  heavy  couplings 
extending  from  the  surface  of  the  ground  to  a  watertight  connection  with  the 
rock  at  whatever  distance  below  the  surface  located.  For  convenience  in  con- 
struction, the  contractor  may  make  the  casing  as  much  larger  than  18"  0.  D. 
as  he  may  desire.  This  casing  shall  be  standard  well  casing  having  not  less 
than  %"  inch  wall,  with  couplings  of  ample  strength  fitted  in  all  respects  for 
the  purpose  used. 

The  lower  end  of  the  casing  shall  be  fitted  with  a  suitable  steel  shoe, 
and  the  casing  shall  penetrate  the  rock  a  sufficient  distance  to  produce  a  tight 
connection  between  the  casing  and  the  rock,  so  that  all  sand,  mud,  gravel  or 
surface  water  will  be  shut  off  from  the  well.  From  the  lower  end  of  this 
casing  to  a  point  250  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  ground  a  17%"  hole  is  to  be 
bored.  From  this  point  a  12"  hole  is  to  be  extended  down  through  and  past  the 
shale,  and  the  shale  through  its  entire  length,  lapping  4  feet  above  top  of 
shale,  is  to  be  cased  off  with  10"  standard  wrought  iron  pipe.  From  this  point 
a  10"  hole  is  to  be  extended  down  through  the  formation  known  as  the  cave, 
which  will  be  a  point  approximately  1,000  feet  from  the  surface  of  the  ground. 
This  caving  rock  is  to  be  cased  off  through  its  entire  length  with  8"  standard 
wrought  iron  pipe.  From  this  point  an  8"  hole  is  to  be  extended  down  through 
the  rock  to  a  point  1,650  feet  from  the  surface  of  the  ground,  or  to  be  con- 
tinued down  to  a  depth  anywhere  between  1,650  foot  level  to  a  depth  2,000  feet, 
at  the  option  of  the  owner. 

Should  any  further  casing  be  necessary  other  than  that  specified  above 
to  insure  the  permanency  of  this  well,  the  Contractor  is  to  install  same 
without  additional  cost  to  owner,  and  in  no  instance  is  the  outside  diameter 
of  the  standard  wrought  iron  pipe  to  be  less  than  the  diameter  of  the  hole 
in  which  same  is  inserted. 

Drilling. — The  Contractor  shall  furnish  all  derricks,  engines,  tools  and 
machinery  of  whatever  description  that  are  necessary  to  construct  and  com- 
plete the  well. 

Alignment. — It  is  intended  that  a  pump  casing  with  a  diameter  as  large 
as  is  practicable  shall  be  admitted  in  that  part  of  the  bore  which  is  17% 
inches  in  diameter,  which  pump  may  be  lowered  to  any  point  below  the  water 
level  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  17 y8"  hole,  and  before  the  well  shall  be 
accepted,  the  Contractor  shall  demonstrate  that  the  alignment  and  bore  of  this 
hole  is  sufficiently  straight  in  concentric  to  accommodate  said  pump. 

In  order  that  this  fact  may  be  demonstrated,  the  Contractor  shall,  at  his 
own  expense,  make  the  following  tests: 

A  dummy  shall  be  constructed  20  feet  in  length,  have  three  (3)  rings, 
each  ring  12  inches  wide  and  16%  inches  outside  diameter.  The  rings  shall 
be  truly  cylindrical  and  shall  be  spaced  one  at  each  end  of  the  dummy  and 
one  ring  in  the  center  thereof.  The  spokes  of  the  rings  shall  be  at  right  angles 
to  the  vertical  axis  of  the  dummy.  This  dummy  shall  be  lowered  into  the 
well  and   shall  move  freely  without  binding,  to  a  depth  of  two  hundred  and 


60  AKTESIAN    WATEES    OF  NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

fifty  (250)  feet  below  the  surface.  Should  the  dummy  fail  to  move  freely 
throughout  this  entire  length,  the  alignment  of  the  well  shall  be  corrected 
by  the  Contractor  at  his  own  expense,  or  should  he  fail  to  correct  the  alignment, 
a  new  well  shall  be  constructed  at  a  point  to  be  designated  by  the  Owner, 
without  additional  expense  to  the  Owner. 

Samples  and  Records. — The  Contractor  shall  keep  an  accurate  record  of 
the  location  of  the  top  and  bottom  of  each  strata  penetrated,  and  shall  save 
and  deliver  to  the  Owner  a  sample  of  material  from  every  10  feet  of  drilling, 
which  same  shall  be  enclosed  in  a  suitable  wide  mouthed  bottle,  plainly 
labeled  with  the  depth  of  the  top  and  bottom  of  said  stratum.  Bottles  will 
be  furnished  by  the  Owner. 

The  contractor  shall  collect  and  deliver  to  the  Owner  samples  of  clear  water 
for  the  purpose  of  analysis  at  such  times  as  may  be  designated  by  the  Owner 
throughout  the   construction   of  the   well. 

Measurements. — To  determine  the  depth  of  the  various  sized  holes  the 
Contractor  is  to  verify  measurements  of  the  holes  with  the  Engineer  repre- 
senting the  Owner,  and  as  soon  as  a  particular  sized  hole  is  completed,  he  is 
not  to  start  on  next  size  smaller  until  both  he  and  the  Engineer  have  agreed 
as  to  the  depth  of  same. 

Steam,  Water,  and  Light. — The  Owner  will  permit  free  use  to  Contractor 
of  Owner's  steam,  water  and  electric  light,  and  will  make  the  necessary 
steam  connections  from  boiler  to  Contractor's  engine  at  Owner's  expense. 

Debris  from  Well. — Contractor  is  to  construct  a  box  into  which  the  cut- 
tings from  the  well  shall  be  dumped,  and  Owner  will  cart  same  from  the 
premises  and  will  provide  an  outlet  for  the  water  which  is  dumped  from 
the  well. 

Guarantee  and  Tests. — The  Contractor  guarantees,  without  reservations 
or  understandings  not  expressly  mentioned  in  these  specifications,  that  the  well 
will  furnish  five  hundred    (500)    gallons  of  water  per  minute. 

In  order  to  demonstrate  the  fulfillment  of  this  guarantee,  the  Owner  will, 
at  its  own  expense,  use  a  standard  type  of  air  lift,  similar  to  Harris,  Pohle, 
or  Weber,  at  its  own  option. 

The  air  pressure  for  this  test  to  be  not  over  175  pounds  to  start  the  well; 
the  size  of  air  pipe  to  be  2  inches.  Submerging  of  air  pipe  to  be  within  the 
limit  of  the   175  pounds   pressure. 

The  method  of  measurement  to  be  weir  and  notch  with  hook  gauge. 
Compressed  air  is  to  be  furnished  at  the  well  from  the  air  compressor  fur- 
nished by  the  Owner. 

The  Owner  reserves  the  right  to  make  the  final  test  a  continuous  test  ex- 
tending over  15  days.  To  fulfill  the  guarantee  the  well  must  discharge  500 
gallons  of  water  per  minute  during  the  entire  period  of  fifteen  days  continu- 
ously. 

In  case  the  guarantee  is  not  fulfilled  by  the  above  test,  the  Contractor 
reserves  the  right  to  make  a  test  at  its  own  expense  with  a  deep  well  pump. 
This  test  to  extend  continuously  for  48  hours;  water  to  be  measured  same  as 
in  test  with  air. 

The  tests  mentioned  to  be  made  when  the  well  has  reached  a  depth  of 
1,650  feet  from  the  ground.  If  the  well  fulfills  the  guarantee  at  the  depth 
of  1,650  feet,  then  the  drilling  shall  cease;  if  the  well  does  not  fulfill  the 
guarantee  at  that  depth,  the  Contractor  shall  continue  to  drill  to  a  depth  of 
1,850  feet,  at  which  depth  another  set  of  tests  are  to  be  made  same  as  specified 


WELLS  61 

above.  If  the  well  fulfills  the  guarantee  at  the  depth  of  1,850  feet,  the  drilling 
shall  cease;  if  the  well  does  not  fulfill  the  guarantee  at  the  depth  of  1,850  feet, 
the  Contractor  is  to  continue  to  drill  to  a  depth  of  2,000  feet,  at  which  depth 
another  set  of  tests  are  to  be  made,  same  as  specified  above.  If  the  well 
does  not  fulfill  the  guarantee  at  the  depth  of  2,000  feet,  then  the  Contractor 
may,  at  its  option,  drill  to  a  depth  of  2,500  feet,  at  which  depth  another  set 
of   tests   are   to   be    made,    same    as    specified    above. 

In  order  that  the  Owner  may  know  when  to  make  the  said  tests,  the 
Contractor  shall  in  writing  notify  the  Owner  when  each  of  the  depths  speci- 
fied for  the  making  of  the  tests  has  been  reached.  Should  the  Contractor 
elect  to  make  the  tests,  which  the  Contractor  has  reserved  the  right  to  make, 
he  shall  in  writing  notify  the  Owner  of  the  time  when  the  making  of  the 
tests  is  to  begin,  to  the  end  that  the  Owner  may  have  its  representative 
present. 

The  Owner  is  to  be  put  to  no  expense  in  making  the  tests  for  the 
use  of  tools  or  apparatus  of  any  kind  belonging  to  Contractor,  or  for  the 
time  of  Contractor's  men,  such  being  the  intent  and  purpose  of  this  con- 
tract and  specifications. 

PROPOSALS,   SPECIFICATIONS,  AND   CONTRACT   FOR   THE    SINKING  OF 

A  WELL,   TO  BE   CONNECTED  WITH   THE   MUNICIPAL  PLANT 

OF    THE    CITY    OF    BATAVIA,    ILLINOIS 

Sealed  proposals  will  be  received  at  the  office  of  the  City  Clerk  of  City  of 
Batavia,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  until  five  o'clock  P.  M.,  Monday,  July  27th, 
1914,  for  the  drilling,  casing  and  connecting  with  the  pumping  pit  of  the 
Municipal  Plant  of  the  City  of  Batavia,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  of  an  artesian 
well. 

LOCATION 

The  well  is  to  be  located  on  the  north  east  corner  of  sub  lot  B.  of  block  5 
of  the  Island  Addition  to  the  City  of  Batavia,  Illinois,  as  shown  by  plat 
thereof  on  file  in  the  Recorder's  office  of  the  County  of  Kane.  Provided,  how- 
ever, this  location  may  be  changed  by  the  direction  of  the  Committee  on  Fire 
and  Water  of  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Batavia,  Illinois. 

IN     GENERAL 

Bidders  will  make  an  examination  of  the  premises  and  make  themselves 
familiar  with  any  difficulties  that  may  be  foreseen. 

Specifications,  contract  and  proposal  blanks  can  be  had  on  application  at 
the  office  of  the  City  Clerk. 

All  bids  must  be  accompanied  by  a  certified  check,  equal  to  ten  per  cent 
of  the  amount  of  the  bid  for  the  total  of  items,  1,  2,  3  and  4  of  the  proposal, 
made  payable  to  the  City  of  Batavia,  as  a  guarantee  that  if  the  bid  is  accepted, 
contract  will  be  entered  into  within  ten  days  from  the  acceptance  of  the 
same. 

Proposals  must  be  made  on  the  blanks  furnished  by  the  City  of  Batavia. 
The  City  Council  reserves  the  right  to  reject  any  or  all  bids  or  to  waive  any 
informality  which  may  be  for  the  benefit  of  said  city. 

W.  H.  Reaney,  City  Clerk. 

Authorized  by  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Batavia,  Illinois. 


62  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

SPECIFICATIONS    FOR    THE    SINKING    OF    A     WELL    FOR    THE    CITY     OF    BATAVIA,     KANE 

COUNTY,    ILLINOIS 

Hereinafter  the  City  of  Batavia,  Illinois,  will  be  known  and  referred  to 
as  the  Owner;  the  person,  firm  or  corporation  that  is  to  furnish  the  materials, 
apparatus,  appliances  and  labor,  as  the  Contractor;  and  when  the  term  Engi- 
neer is  used  herein,  it  shall  refer  to  L.  A.  Parre,  Superintendent  of  the 
Municipal  Plant  of  the   City  of  Batavia,  Kane   County,   Illinois. 

The  Contractor  will  be  held  to  execute  such  work  and  to  use  *  such 
materials  and  to  perform  such  other  duties  as  are  hereinafter  described,  and 
all  parts  and  portions  of  the  completed  installation  must  present  a  work- 
manlike piece  of  work  and  be  in  a  thoroughly  first-class  operating  condition. 

The  Engineer  shall  have  the  privilege  and  shall  be  afforded  every  op- 
portunity for  properly  inspecting  the  materials,  appliances,  apparatus  and  ap- 
purtenances and  the  condition  of  the  well  in  the  passing  through  the  different 
strata  of  rock  or  other  formation. 

The  Owner  reserves  the  right  to  alter  or  modify  the  specifications  or  to 
add  to  or  deduct  form  the  contract  price  without  rendering  the  original  con- 
tract  void. 

In  case  of  alteration  in  the  specifications,  an  addition  to  or  a  deduction 
from  the  contract  price  shall  be  made  in  proportion  as  such  labor  and  materials 
necessary  to  the  accomplishment  of  said  alteration  is  to  the  amount  of  labor 
and  materials  contracted  for,  but  no  alteration  is  to  be  made  or  extra  work 
done  for  which  a  charge  will  be  approved  or  a  credit  allowed  unless  a  price 
for  same  be  agreed  upon  beforehand  and  the  amount  endorsed  upon  the 
original  contract  or  set  forth  in  a  written  instrument  executed  by  the  Engi- 
neer, and  in  case  no  agreement  can  be  effected  between  the  Owner  and  the 
Contractor  as  to  the  price  to  be  paid  for  such  alteration  or  extra  work,  the 
decision  of  the  Engineer  to  be  binding  and   conclusive. 

The  interpretation  or  explanation  of  these  specifications  obtained  from  any 
other  source  than  the  Engineer  will  not  be  accepted  as  binding,  and  his 
report   and   decision   is  binding   and   conclusive. 

Before  submitting  a  tender,  the  Contractor  shall  visit  the  premises  and 
make  a  thorough  and  careful  examination  to  familiarize  himself  with  all  con- 
ditions existing,  and  in  awarding  the  Contract,  it  will  be  assumed  that  such 
action  has  been  taken. 

The  work  must  be  commenced  within  such  time  from  the  date  of  the 
execution  of  the  contract  as  shall  be  set  forth  in  said  contract,  and  shall  be 
prosecuted  uninterruptedly  and  with  a  sufficient  force  to  insure  the  speedy 
completion  of  all  parts  and  portions  thereof. 

The  Contractor  must  put  himself  in  communication  with  the  Engineer 
and  arrange  the  prosecution  of  the  work  to  be  performed  by  him  so  as  not  to 
unnecessarily  hinder  or  delay  the  prosecution  of  any  work  being  performed 
by  or  for  the  said  Owner. 

The  Contractor  is  to  use  such  methods  and  appliances  for  the  performance 
of  all  work  embraced  under  this  contract  as  will  secure  a  satisfactory  quality 
of  work  and  a  rate  of  progress  which,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Engineer,  will 
secure  the  completion  of  the  work  within  the  time  limit  specified  in  the  con- 
tract. 

The  Contractor  will  be  required  to  furnish  a  good  and  sufficient  bond, 
acceptable  to  the  Owner,  to  insure  the  faithful  performance  of  the  obligations 


WELLS  63 

set  forth  in  the  contract  and  these  specifications,  including  the  payment  of 
laborers  and  mechanics  for  labor. 

The  Contractor  shall  not  be  entitled  to  any  claim  for  damages,  for  any 
hindrance  or  delay  from  any  source  or  cause  whatsoever  in  the  progress  of  the 
work  or  any  portion  thereof,  but  such  hindrance  will  entitle  the  Contractor  to 
such  extension  of  time  for  completing  the  contract  as  may  be  determined  by  the 
Engineer,  provided  the  Engineer  be  given  notice  in  writing  at  the  time  of  such 
hindrance  or  the  cause  of  detention. 

The  Contractor  must  sustain  all  losses  and  damages  arising  from  the  action 
of  the  elements,  flood  waters,  or  the  nature  of  the  work  to  be  done  under  these 
specifications,  and  he  will  be  held  responsible  for  any  and  all  material  or  work 
to  the  full  amount  of  the  payments  made  thereon  and  he  will  be  required  to 
make  good  at  his  own  cost  any  injury  or  damage  which  the  said  materials 
or  work  may  sustain  from  any  source  or  cause  whatsoever  before  the  final 
acceptance  thereof. 

The  Contractor  shall  indemnify  and  save  harmless  the  said  Owner  or  its 
officers  or  agents  from  any  and  all  claims  for  renumeration  or  indemnity 
for  or  on  account  of  any  injury  or  damage  to  person  or  property  received  or  sus- 
tained by  any  person  or  persons,  firm  or  corporation,  by  or  from  the  said 
Contractor  or  by  or  in  consequence  of  any  materials  or  explosives  used  in  or 
around  or  upon  the  said  work,  or  by  or  on  account  of  any  improper  material  or 
workmanship  used  or  employed  in  the  construction,  or  by  or  on  account  of  any 
accident  or  any  act  or  omission  of  the  said  Contractor  or  his  agents  or  servants 
or  employes,  and  so  much  of  the  money  that  is  due  or  to  become  due  the  Con- 
tractor under  his  contract  as  shall  be  considered  necessary  by  the  Engineer  may 
be  retained  by  the  Owner  until  such  suits  or  claims  for  damages  or  otherwise 
as  aforesaid,  shall  have  been  finally  determined  and  settled,  and  evidence  to  that 
effect  furnished  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Owner  and  Engineer. 

Defective  materials  may  be  condemned  by  the  Engineer  and  when  so 
condemned  shall  be  destroyed  or  removed  and  shall  not  be  used  by  the  Con- 
tractor on  any  part  of  the  work.  In  case  of  failure  to  remove  or  destroy 
such  condemned  materials,  after  written  notice  has  been  served  by  the 
Engineer,  within  the  time  specified  in  said  notice,  the  Engineer  may  cause 
the  said  condemned  materials  to  be  destroyed  or  removed  and  acceptable 
materials  substituted  therefore.  The  cost  of  such  substituted  material  and 
the  cost  of  removing  or  destroying  said  condemned  materials,  shall  be 
deducted  from  any  amounts  due  or  to  become  due  the  said  Contractor. 

The  Contractor  shall  strictly  observe  and  comply  with  any  and  all 
Ordinances  of  the  city  and  statutes  of  the  State  in  which  the  work  herein 
provided  for  is  to  be  performed,  and  shall  obtain  any  or  all  permits,  inspec- 
tions and  otherwise,  which  shall  be  necessary  or  required  for  the  conduct 
of  such  work  or  the  placing  of  the  completed  work  in  operation  or  service. 

The  Contractor  shall  not  use  any  patented  device  in  connection  with  any 
part  or  portion  of  the  work  herein  provided  for  without  the  written  consent 
of  the  patentee  first  had  and  obtained,  and  the  execution  of  the  contract  by 
the  Contractor  shall  constitute  a  written  guarantee,  protecting  the  said 
Owner  on  account  of  any  suit,  action  or  proceeding  brought  in  any  court 
for  infringement  of  patent  or  patents  on  any  part  or  portion  of  the  work 
herein  provided  for. 

The  Contractor  shall,  at  his  own  expense,  defend  by  good  and  competent 
attorneys    any    and    all    suits,    actions    or    proceedings    brought    against    said 


t)4  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Owner,  or  any  or  all  of  its  officers  or  agents,  due  to  any  of  the  causes  set 
forth  in  these  specifications,  and  shall  pay  any  and  all  judgments  that  may 
be  rendered  therein  without  calling  upon  the  Owner  or  any  or  all  of  its 
officers  or  agents  for  the  same  or  any  part  thereof. 

SIZE  AND   CASING   OF   CAVES 

The  well  is  to  be  twelve  inches  in  diameter  from  the  surface  of  the 
ground  to  such  point  in  the  rock  as  solid  uniform  rock  shall  be  found  in 
which  a  twelve-inch  casing  is  to  be  thoroughly  packed,  from  the  bottom  of 
said  casing,  which  is  where  the  solid  uniform  rock  as  aforesaid  has  been 
encountered,  to  the  bottom  of  the  well  a  hole  twelve  inches  in  diameter  shall 
be  drilled,  provided  however,  if  a  cave  be  encountered  at  or  below  900  feet, 
the  Contractor  may  case  off  the  cave  in  a  proper  manner  and  satisfactory  to 
the  Engineer,  and  from  this  said  cave  so  encountered,  shall  continue  the  well 
to  the  bottom  at  a  diameter  of  not  less  than  eight  inches  provided  further, 
that  if  a  second  cave  be  encountered  at  or  below  1500  feet,  the  Contractor 
may  case  off  such  cave  so  encountered,  in  a  proper  manner  and  satisfactory 
to  the  Engineer,  and  from  there  continue  the  well  to  the  bottom  of  a  diam- 
eter of  not  less  than  seven  inches.  The  well  shall  not  be  less  than  seven  inches 
in  diameter  at  any  point  from  1500  feet  to  2200  feet  in  depth,  and  not  less 
than  eight  inches  in  diameter  at  any  point  from  900  feet  to  1500  feet  in 
depth,  not  less  than  ten  inches  in  diameter  at  any  point  above  900  feet  in 
depth. 

DRILLING 

The  Contractor  shall  furnish  all  tools,  materials,  appliances,  labor  and 
the  necessary  12-inch,  10-inch,  8-inch  and  7-inch  galvanized,  full  weight  pipe 
for  casing,  required  for  the  prosecution  of  the  work  in  accordance  with  these 
specifications,  and  testing  of  the  well  at  its  completion  in  accordance  with 
these  specifications. 

PRESERVATION    OF     SAMPLES 

The  Contractor  on  sinking  the  well  shall  preserve  samples  of  the  ma- 
terial or  strata  encountered,   in  the  manner  hereinafter  described. 

Samples  of  Materials  shall  be  taken  at  each  ten  feet  in  depth  of  the  well 
and  also  at  each  and  every  point  where  a  variation  in  the  strata  from 
the  last  sample  taken  may  be  observable. 

Each  sample  of  said  material  shall  be  placed  in  a  one  pint  glass  fruit 
jar  to  be  furnished  by  the  Owner  and  labeled  by  the  Contractor  with  the 
depth  from  the  surface  of  the  well,  at  which  the  sample  was  taken. 

Samples  obtained  during  each  twenty-four  hours  shall  be  delivered  to  the 
Owner,  represented  by  the  City  Clerk,  or  the  Engineer  on  or  before  twelve 
o'clock  noon  of  each  day  during  the  continuance  of  the  work,  and  the  Con- 
tractor shall  receive  a  receipt  for  said  samples  so  delivered,  said  receipt 
shall  show  the  number  of  samples  taken  during  the  previous  twenty-four 
hours  and  the  depts  at  which  each  sample  was  taken.  The  preservation  of 
these  samples  is  considered  an  essential  point  in  the  execution  of  the  con- 
tract and  failure  to  properly  fulfill  these  specifications  shall  be  considered 
as  definite  damage  to  the  Owner  for  which  they  shall  be  entitled  to  retain 
from  the   contract  price   for  the  work   of  sinking  the   well  the  sum   of  Five 


WELLS  65 

Dollars  ($5.00)  for  each  sample  which  the  said  contractor  shall  fail  to  pre- 
serve and  deliver  as  above  described.  The  receipts  given  for  and  upon  the 
delivery  of  the  samples  shall  be  taken  as  a  check  on  the  number  of  feet 
sunk  in  the  drilling  of  the  well. 


The  casing  above  referred  to  shall  extend  down  to  the  solid  rock  and 
shall  be  twelve  inches  nominal  inside  diameter  and  twelve  and  80-100  inches 
outside  diameter,  full  weight  galvanized.  Said  casing  shall  be  of  the  best 
lap  welded  charcoal  refined  iron  and  shall  be  made  with  flush  joints  and 
shall  be  packed  in  said  rock  at  the  depth  specified  in  a  manner  approved  by 
the  Engineer. 

LIMIT    OF    DEPTH 

At  any  point  where  a  flow  of  water  is  encountered  large  enough  to  war- 
rant the  Owner  in  the  belief  that  it  will  be  sufficient  for  the  desired  water 
supply  the  Owner  shall  have  the  right  to  discontinue  the  work  on  said  well 
and  the  test  hereinafter  described  may  then  be  made. 

If  the  test  is  not  satisfactory  and  the  Owner  may  so  direct,  the  drilling 
shall  be  continued  to  further  depths  and  so  on  until  the  maximum  depth 
herein  specified  shall  be  reached,  at  which  time  the  drilling  thereof  may  be 
ordered  discontinued  by  the  Owner. 

The  Owner  reserves  the  right  to  discontinue  the  sinking  of  the  well 
at  any  depth  below  900  feet  which  shows  upon  test  that  in  the  opinion 
of  the  Owner  and  the  Engineer  the  flow  of  water  is  sufficient  for  the  desired 
water  supply  and   the   quality   of  the  water   is   approved. 

TESTS 

At  any  point  wherein  a  flow  of  water  is  struck  which  appears  to  be 
sufficient  for  the  necessary  water  supply  the  Contractor  shall  make  the  fol- 
lowing tests  of  the  well. 

The  well  shall  be  piped  to  various  heights  and  the  point  to  which  water 
will  run  in  said  pipe  shall  be  accurately  determined. 

At  any  point  in  said  pipe  at  a  height  which  the  Owner  may  direct  a  Tee 
shall  be  inserted  in  the  said  pipe  and  a  test  of  the  flow  of  said  well  made 
by  running  the  water  through  said  Tee  over  a  weir  or  into  a  tank  to  be 
provided  by  the  Owner  and  the  amount  of  water  flowing  be   determined. 

This  measurement  may  be  repeated  at  from  two  to  eight  different  heights 
as  the  Engineer  may  direct. 

If  the  Owner  shall  so  direct  the  following  test  shall  also  be  made. 

This  test  shall  be  made  by  means  of  a  two-inch  wrought  iron  pipe  of  suit- 
able length,  which  shall  be  packed  off  just  above  the  water  bearing  strata 
and  at  various  heights  above  said  strata,  not  to  exceed  ten  in  number,  which 
the  Owner  may  select.  Said  two-inch  wrought  iron  pipe  shall  be  joined 
together  by  water  tight  sleeve  couplings  and  shall  be  of  such  length  as  to 
reach  from  the  point  at  which  the  pipe  is  to  be  packed  to  the  surface  so  that 
the  variation  in  head  if  any,  due  to  the  packing  off  of  the  pipe  at  such 
depth  may  be  noted,  the  packing  to  be  at  the  lower  end  of  such  two-inch 
pipe  and  to  be  made  by  means  of  a  double  bag  of  heavy  canvas  or  leather 
filled  with  flaxseed  or  such  other  packing  as  the  Contractor  may  select,  which 


66  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN  ILLINOIS 

will  thoroughly  accomplish  the  same  purpose,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Owner  and  the  Engineer. 

During  the  making  of  any  test  of  the  flow  of  water,  should  the  difference 
in  pressure  between  the  heights  of  two  testing  spots  show  a  leakage  in  the 
well,  the  well  shall  be  cased  off  to  prevent  such  leakage  and  the  test  again 
applied. 

At  any  and  all  depths  where  a  test  of  the  flow  of  the  water  is  made, 
samples  of  the  water  shall  be  taken  and  placed  in  receptacles  furnished  by 
the  Illinois  Water  Survey,  said  samples  so  taken  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
State  Water  Survey  for  their  examination  and  should  the  result  of  their 
analysis  show  that  there  is  an  excess  of  salt,  sulphur  or  other  mineral  of 
an  objectionable  nature,  the  well  shall  be  cased  off  to  prevent  said  water, 
so  objected  to,  from  entering  the  well,  the  expense  of  said  casing  off  shall 
be  borne  by  the  Contractor. 

TILE 

All  the  tile  used  in  the  construction  of  the  connection  between  the  pump- 
ing pit  and  well  shall  be  of  the  best  quality  vitrified,  salt  glazed  tile,  well 
burned  throughout  their  thickness,  the  body  of  the  pipe  to  have  a  uniform 
thickness  of  1%  inches.  All  tile  having  fire  cracks,  blisters  and  iron  pimples, 
which  the  Engineer  shall  deem  injurious,  will  be  rejected.  All  hubs  and 
sockets  must  be  of  sufficient  diameter  to  receive,  to  their  full  length,  the 
spigot  end  of  the  following  pipe,  without  any  chipping  whatever  of  either 
and  to  leave  a  space  of  not  less  than  Vi  inch  in  width  all  around  for  the 
cement  mortar  joints,  the  joints  will  be  made  by  tightly  pressing  cement 
mortar  to  the  full  depth  of  the  joint,  the  ends  of  the  tile  are  to  abut  close 
against  each  other  in  such  manner  that  there  shall  be  no  shoulder  or  want 
of  uniformity  of  surface  on  the  interior  of  the  tiles,  the  joints  are  to  be 
as  uniform  as  possible  in  thickness  and  thoroughly  filled  with  mortar,  each 
joint  is  to  be  wiped  clean  of  mortar  on  the  inside  before  another  length  of 
tile  is  laid. 

All  cement  for  filling  the  joints  shall  be  pure  fresh  ground  Louisville, 
Utica  or  other  equally  as  good  cement  of  best  quality,  with  only  enough 
water  added  to  give  it  the  proper  consistency  and  shall  be  mixed  only  as 
needed  for  use,  one  part  cement  by  measure  and  two  parts  by  measure  of 
clear   sharp   sand. 

The  trench  when  excavated  for  the  tile  shall  be  deep  enough  so  that 
the  top  edge  of  the  tile  shall  be  at  least  twelve  inches  below  the  surface  of 
the  ground. 

CONNECTIONS 

Upon  completion  of  the  well  as  herein  described  the  Contractor  shall 
furnish  one  twelve-inch  cast  iron  Tee,  flanged  pattern  with  companion  flanges 
for  two  branches  of  said  Tee,  also  one  twelve-inch  gate  valve. 

The  Contractor  shall  guarantee  the  completed  work  to  be  complete  in 
every  detail  and  free  from  defective  materials  and  imperfect  workmanship 
and  to  be  in  all  respects  in  accordance  with  these  specifications. 

In   awarding   this   contract  consideration  will  be   given   the  following. 

1st.     Time    of   completion. 


WELLS  67 

2nd.  Ability  and  reliability  of  Contractor  as  shown  in  previous  en- 
deavors in  this  line  of  work. 

3rd.     Price  per  foot  at  the  various  depths. 

4th.     Price   of  materials  to   be   furnished. 

To    the    Mayor    and    City    Council    of    the    City    of    Batavia,    Illinois: 

The  undersigned  having  examined  the  specifications  and  premises,  here- 
with present  proposals  as  follows: 

ITEM 

1  For  the  furnishing  of  approximately  40  feet  of  twelve-inch 
casing,  one  twelve-inch  tee,  one  twelve-inch  gate  valve 
with  companion  flange,  one  twelve-inch  nipple,  approxi- 
mately 40  feet  vitrified  salt  glazed  tile  and  connecting 
well  with  the  pumping  pit  of  the  Municipal  Plant  of  the 

City  of  Batavia $ 

2  For  the  sinking  of  the  well  900  feet,  price  per  foot 

Estimated  time   required   for   same,    days 

3  For  the  sinking  of  the  well  from  900   feet  to  1,200   feet, 

price  per  foot > 

Estimated  time  required  for  same,  days ; . . 

4  For  the  sinking  of  the  well  from  1200   feet  to   1500  feet, 

price  per  foot 

Estimated  time  required  for  same,  days 

5  For  the  sinking  of  the  well  from  1500  feet  to  1800  feet, 

price  per  foot 

Estimated  time  required  for  same,  days 

6  For  the  sinking  of  the  well,  from  1800  feet  to  2200  feet, 

price  per  foot 

Estimated  time  required  for  same,  days 

7  For  the  sinking  of  the  well  below  2200  feet,  price  per  foot   


Respectfully  submitted, 
By 


Certified    check,    inclosed, 


This   Agreement,    made    this day    of 

A.  D.  1914,  between  the  City  of  Batavia,  Illinois,  party  of  the  first  part  and 

of  the  City  of  Batavia,  State  of  Illinois,  party  of  the  second  part. 

Witnesseth,  that  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  agreement  and  covenants 
hereinafter  contained  on  the  part  of  the  first  party,  the  party  of  the  second 
part  hereby  agrees  to  sink  a  well  for  the  said  first  party  according  to  and  in  all 
respects  in  compliance  with  the  proposal  and  specifications  heretofore  attached. 

The  second  party  agrees  to  commence  within  twenty  days  from  the  signing 
of  this  contract  upon  the  actual  drilling  and  sinking  of  the  well  and  to  within 
twenty  days  from  the  signing  of  this  contract  place  themselves  and  their  ma- 
chinery in  such  a  position  that  they  will  be  well  equipped  and  able  to  com- 
mence such  actual  drilling  not  later  than  at  the  expiration  of  the  said 
twenty  days  from  the  signing  of  this  contract. 


68  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  said  second  party  further  agrees  that  in  every  respect  they  will  com- 
plete the  sinking  of  the  well  referred  to  in  this  contract  within  such  time  as 
follows : 

If  the  well  shall  be  nine  hundred  feet  or  less,  within 

days  from  the  commencement  of  the  actual  drilling  of  the  same. 

If  the  well  shall  be  more  than  nine  hundred  feet  and  twelve  hundred  feet 
or  less,  within days  from  the  commencement  of  the  actual  drill- 
ing of  the  same. 

If  the  well  shall  be  more  than  twelve  hundred  feet  and  fifteen  hundred  feet 
or  less,  within days  from  the  commencement  of  the  actual  drill- 
ing of  the  same. 

If  the  well  shall  be  more  than  fifteen  hundred  feet  and  eighteen  hundred 

feet  or  less,  within .days  from  the  commencement  of  the  actual 

drilling  of  the  same. 

If   the    well    shall   be   more   than    eighteen   hundred    feet    and    twenty-two 

hundred  feet  or  less,  within .days  from  the  commencement  of  the 

actual  drilling  of  the  same. 

If  the  well  shall  be  more  than  twenty-two  hundred  feet  within 

days  from  the  commencement  of  the  actual  drilling  of  the  same. 

The  said  first  party  agrees  that  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  perform- 
ance of  the  covenants  of  the  said  second  party  and  for  the  satisfactory 
performance  of  their  work  in  accordance  with  the  specifications  attached  hereto 
agree  to  pay  to  the  said  second  party  the  following  amount:  For  the  furnish- 
ing of  approximately  40  feet  of  twelve-inch  casing,  one  twelve-inch  tee,  one 
twelve-inch  gate  valve  with  companion  flange,  one  twelve-inch  nipple,  approxi- 
mately 40  feet  vitrified  salt  glazed  tile,  sinking  of  the  well  the  first  nine  hundred 
feet,  and  connecting  well  with  the  pumping  pit  of  the  Municipal  Plant  of  the 

City  of  Batavia, 

Dollars 

For  the  next  three  hundred  feet Per  foot 

For  the  next  three  hundred  feet Per  foot 

For  the  next  three  hundred  feet Per  foot 

For  the  next  four    hundred  feet Per  foot 

Below    twenty-two    hundred  feet Per  foot 

The  payment  for  the  sinking  of  the  said  well  shall  be  made  in  the  follow- 
ing manner  at  the  expiration  of  every  two  w'eeks  from  the  commencing  of  the 
actual  drilling  of  the  well.  The  said  first  party  shall  pay  to  the  said  second 
party  seventy-five  per  cent  of  the  amount  which  is  at  such  times  due  and  un- 
paid, and  such  payments  shall  be  made  in  accordance  with  and  upon  the 
issuing  of  the  certificate  by  the  Engineer  of  the  City  of  Batavia,  which  certifi- 
cate shall  set  forth  the  depth  which  has  been  reached  at  the  time  of  the 
issuance  thereof. 

It  is  further  agreed  between  the  parties  hereto  that  the  remaining  twenty- 
five  per  cent  of  the  amount  due  and  unpaid  in  accordance  with  the  above 
paragraph  shall  be  paid  to  the  second  party  upon  the  certificate  of  the  Engi- 
neer that  the  well  has  been  completed  and  tested  and  recommending  the  accept- 
ance of  same  by  the  Owner. 

It  is  further  agreed  between  the  parties  hereto  that  the  proposals  and  speci- 
fications hereto  attached  shall  be  made  and  considered  a  part  of  this  contract 
as  fully  as  though  the  same  were  printed  in  the  body  hereof  over  the  signatures 


WELLS  69 

and  seals  of  the  parties  hereto,  and  where  any  questions  of  any  nature  arises 
under  this  contract  or  in  reference  to  the  same,  the  proposals  and  specifications 
hereto  attached  shall  have  the  same  force  and  effect  as  though  they  were  writ- 
ten or  printed  in  the  body  of  this  contract. 

In  Testimony  Whereof,  the  party  of  the  first  part  has  caused  these  presents 
to  be  signed  in  its  behalf  by  its  Mayor,  and  its  Corporate  Seal  to  be  hereto 
affixed,  attested  by  its  City  Clerk,  and  the  parties  of  the  second  part  have  here- 
unto set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  year  first  above  written. 

City  or  Batavia, 

By 

Mayor. 
Attest  to  Seal 

City  Clerk. 

[seal] 

[seal] 

[seal] 

PUMPING  OF  WELLS 
METHODS 

Deep-well  pumps. — The  municipal  wells  of  the  smaller  towns  and  at 
many  of  the  industrial  plants  are  equipped  with  the  rod-and-plunger  dis- 
placement, commonly  called  "deep-well  pump."  These  pumps  are  gener- 
ally used  where  the  lift  does  not  exceed  150  feet  and  the  desired  yield  is 
not  over  100  gallons  per  minute.  Most  of  the  smaller  pumps  of  this  type 
are  single-acting,  but  the  larger,  newer  ones  are  double-acting  or  of  the 
continuous-flow  class.  The  small,  common  deep-well  pump  that  is  used 
in  factories  is  the  "steam  pump"  ;  in  this  type  the  steam  and  water 
cylinders  are  placed  on  the  same  machine. 

Many  of  the  larger,  double-acting,  deep-well  pumps,  which  have 
capacities  up  to  and  over  250  gallons  per  minute,  are  motor  driven.  The 
following  towns  are  a  few  of  those  in  this  area  that  are  equipped  with 
large,  motor-driven,  deep-well  pumps :  Park  Ridge,  De  Kalb,  Morris, 
Minooka,  Lemont,  Lyons,  and  Grand  Ridge. 

Impeller  or  centrifugal  pumps. — This  class  includes  the  centrifugal 
or  as  it  is  sometimes  called  the  "turbine  pump."  The  water  is  raised  by 
the  energy  transmitted  to  it  through  the  rapid  rotation  of  curved  vanes  in 
an  enclosed  chamber.  In  a  common  type  of  this  pump  the  chamber  or 
"stage,"  as  it  is  called,  is  beneath  the  water  level,  and  the  axis  to  which 
the  vanes  are  attached,  extends  to  the  surface.  Then  the  entire  axis  is 
rotated  rapidly  by  some  motive  power  applied  at  the  surface,  and  the 
water  is  thus  elevated.     Where  the  lifts  are  large,  it  is  usual  to  have  a 


70  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

number  of  stages  in  order  to  transmit  sufficient  velocity  to  the  water  to 
send  it  to  the  surface.  The  centrifugal  pump  is  used  in  a  number  of  the 
municipal  pumping  plants  in  this  locality;  as  a  rule  it  has  been  found 
very  satisfactory  with  lifts  not  over  150  feet.  This  form  of  pump  is 
operating  against  a  very  high  lift,  in  one  of  the  city  wells  at  Aurora  where 
a  4-stage,  17-inch  turbine  pump  is  placed  at  a  depth  of  201  feet  and  at 
times  it  is  necessary  to  raise  the  water  against  this  entire  head.  The  fol- 
lowing municipal  plants  are  equipped  with  one  form  or  another  of  the 
centrifugal  pump:  Rockford,  Aurora,  Batavia,  LaGrange,  Forest  Park, 
and  Chicago  Heights. 

Air-lift  pumps. — The  air-lift  is  a  device  by  means  of  which  the  water 
is  raised  from  a  well  through  the  action  of  compressed  air.  The  pump- 
ing equipment  consists  of  an  air  compressor  at  the  surface,  an  air- 
receiver  tank  to  regulate  the  amount  and  pressure  of  air  from  the  com- 
pressor, a  large  pipe  in  the  well  for  the  discharge  of  the  water  called  the 
"eduction  pipe,"  and  an  air  pipe  to  convey  the  compressed  air  to  the  bot- 
tom of  the  eduction  pipe.  The  air  pipe  may  be  placed  within  the  eduction 
pipe,  the  water  thus  occupying  the  space  between  the  two.  Another 
method  is  where  the  air  pipe  is  placed  along  side  the  eduction  pipe,  the 
air  being  conveyed  to  the  eduction  pipe  at  its  bottom.  The  latter  ar- 
rangement is  the  one  more  commonly  in  use,  although  where  the  well  is 
not  of  sufficient  diameter  to  contain  two  pipes  of  the  necessary  sizes  the 
air  pipe  is  placed  within  the  eduction.  In  some  places  the  bottom  of  the 
air  pipe  is  equipped  with  what  is  called  a  foot-piece  or  nozzle.  The  foot- 
piece  is  supposed  to  give  the  air  lift  a  greater  capacity. 

The  reader  is  referred  to  a  bulletin  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin 
which  treats  of  an  investigation  of  the  air-lift  made  by  Davis  and 
Weidner.1  This  is  an  excellent  treatise  on  the  subject  derived  from  tests 
obtained  on  a  small  air  lift,  the  maximum  lift  being  about  24  feet,  in  the 
University  Engineering  Laboratories.  The  bulletin  contains  also  a  very 
good  bibliography  concerning  the  air-lift  pump. 

The  authors  recognize  five  variables  which  may  affect  a  particular 
type  and  size  of  pump;  these  are:  (1)  percentage  of  submergence, 
(2)  lift,  (3)  discharge,  (4)  volume  of  air,  (5)  pressure  of  air.  The 
conclusions  reached  are  given  below.  These  conclusions  have  been  some- 
what questioned  by  certain  manufacturers  of  air-lift  equipment  as  not 
being  entirely  applicable  to  large  wells  with  lifts  of  over  200  feet ;  they 
say  that  the  experimental  pumping  plant  at  Wisconsin  was  too  small  and 
did  not  represent  actual  conditions  in  large  wells.  In  all  justice  to  the 
authors  it  should  be  stated  that  they  say  that  the  conclusions  will  hold 

1  Davis,  Geo.  J.,  and  Weidner,  C.  R.    An  investigation  of  the  air-lift  pump:  Bull. 
of  the  University  of  Wisconsin  No.  450,  Eng.  Series  vol.  6,  No.   7,  pp.   405-573,  1911 


WELLS  71 

only  for  the  particular  type,  size,  and  length  of  pump  in  which  the  experi- 
ments were  performed.     They  infer,  however,  that  the  conclusions  will 
hold   for  other  types   and  sizes.     These  inferences,   on  the   whole,   the 
writer  believes  to  be  correct. 
The  conclusions  are : 

1.  The  central  air-tube  pump  has  the  greatest  theoretical  capacity  for 
a  given  size  of  well. 

2.  The  coefficient  of  pipe  friction  and  slip  decreases  as  the  discharge  in- 
creases, and  decreases  as  the  ratio  of  volume  of  air  to  volume  of  water  in 
creases. 

3.  The  coefficient  of  pipe  friction  and  of  slip  varies  with  the  length  of 
pump,  but  it  seems  to  be  independent  of  the  percentage  of  submergence  and 
of  the  lift. 

4.  The  length  of  pump,  the  percentage  of  submergence,  and  therefore 
the  lift  remaining  constant,  there  is  a  definite  quantity  of  air  causing  the 
maximum  discharge.  This  quantity  of  air  for  maximum  discharge,  as  also 
the  ratio  of  volume  of  air  to  volume  of  water,  differs  for  different  percentages 
of  submergence  and  lift,  the  length  of  the  pump  remaining  constant. 

5.  The  length  of  pump  remaining  constant,  the  maximum  output  occurs 
at  about  the  same  percentage  of  submergence  for  all  rates  of  air  consumption, 
being  at  from  61  to  65  per  cent  for  the  pump  used  in  the  Wisconsin  experi- 
ments. At  other  submergences  the  output  varies  as  the  ordinates  of  a  para- 
bola having  a  vertical  axis.  Under  these  conditions  the  lift  does  not  re- 
main  constant  as  the  percentage   of  submergence  varies. 

6.  The  length  of  pump  and  percentage  of  submergence  remaining  con- 
stant, and  therefore  constant  lift,  the  efficiency  increases  as  the  input  de- 
creases; that  is,  the  highest  efficiencies  are  obtained  at  the  lowest  rates  of 
pumping. 

7.  By  varying  the  percentage  of  submergence,  and  therefore  the  lift, 
the  length  of  pump  remaining  constant,  the  maximum  efficiency  is  obtained 
at  approximately  63  per  cent  submergence  for  all  rates  of  input  or  discharge. 

8.  The  lift  remaining  constant,  the  efficiency  increases  as  the  percentage 
of  submergence  increases,  for  all  rates  of  input  and  all  practical  percentages 
of  submergence. 

9.  With  the  same  size  and  type  of  pump,  the  percentage  of  submergence 
remaining  constant,  the  efficiency  increased  as  the  lift  increased  for  the  small 
lifts  experimented  on;  that  is,  up  to  about  24  feet.  From  a  theoretical 
study,  however,  the  indications  are  that  a  point  will  be  reached  from  which 
the  efficiency  will  decrease  as  the  lift  increases. 

10.  Other  conditions  remaining  constant,  there  is  no  advantage  to  be 
gained  by  introducing  compressed  air  above  the  surface  of  the  water  in  the 
well. 

11.  The  type  of  the  foot-piece  has  very  little  effect  on  the  efficiency  of 
the  pump,  so  long  as  the  air  is  introduced  in  an  efficient  manner,  and  the 
full  cross-sectional  area  of  the  education  pipe  is  realized  for  the  passage  of 
the  liquid.  Any  thing  in  the  shape  of  a  nozzle  to  increase  the  kinetic  energy 
of  the   air  is   detrimental. 

12.  A  diverging  outlet  which  will  conserve  the  kinetic  energy  of  the  ve- 
locity head  increases  the  efficiency. 


72  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  percentage  of  submergence  is  that  per  cent  of  the  total  length  of 
pipe  between  the  discharge  of  the  water  at  the  surface  and  the  lowest  en- 
trance of  air  into  the  eduction  pipe  in  the  well,  which  is  submerged.  If 
the  discharge  pipe  does  not  extend  below  the  lowest  entrance  of  air  into 
it,  the  percentage  of  submergence  is  the  per  cent  of  the  length  of  the  dis- 
charge pipe  which  is  submerged.  The  amount  of  submergence  used  in 
the  air-lift  pumps  varies,  although  about  60  per  cent  is  the  amount  that  is 
used  in  practically  all  efficient  equipments.  In  a  number  of  cases  where 
the  air  compressor's  capacity  is  not  great  enough  to  permit  this  amount  of 
submergence,  the  length  of  air  pipe  is  not  so  great.  Some  wells  that  are 
subject  to  a  great  lowering  of  the  water  level  on  pumping,  as  wells  of 
small  bore  at  the  bottom,  are  equipped  with  auxiliary  air  lines  to  permit 
the  initial  head  to  be  pumped  off  at  lower  pressures.  By  these  means  it 
is  possible  to  secure  a  greater  submergence  and  yet  not  require  any  higher 
air  pressure  than  that  required,  under  operating  conditions.  There  is  no 
doubt  but  that  use  of  these  auxiliary  air  lines  is  an  advantage  and  many 
of  the  smaller  installations  would  have  a  greater  efficiency  by  making 
such  changes.  This  would  give  a  better  submergence  and  utilize  to  the 
greatest  extent  the  possibilities  of  the  small  air  compressor. 

The  increased  size  of  the  eduction  pipe  toward  the  outlet  is  another 
means  of  increased  efficiency  that  is  used  in  some  cases  and  should  be 
used  to  a  greater  extent. 

The  conditions  are  rarely  the  same  in  any  two  wells,  and  therefore 
a  very  satisfactory  air-lift  equipment  for  one  well  might  not  be  at  all 
applicable  to  another.  Each  well  is  a  problem  in  itself.  Therefore  be- 
fore the  installation  of  any  permanent  pumping  equipment,  sufficient 
tests  should  be  made  under  the  direction  of  a  competent  engineer  to  de- 
termine what  arrangements  of  the  different  lengths  and  sizes  of  pipe  are 
most  efficient.  Even  a  very  good  air-lift  may  become  antiquated  by  a 
lowering  of  the  water  level  or  by  changes  in  the  rate  of  pumping. 

The  air-lift  is  used  to  a  greater  extent  in  this  area  than  any  other 
pumping  arrangement  where  it  is  necessary  to  raise  large  quantities 
against  a  great  head.  It  is  by  far  the  most  important  pumping  equipment 
in  Chicago  and  vicinity,  where  the  head  pumped  against  is  in  many  in- 
stances over  230  feet.  The  air-lift  has  commonly  not  been  considered 
very  efficient,  although  some  of  the  larger  installations  in  the  Chicago 
Stock  Yards  district  have  obtained  very  satisfactory  results.  The  flex- 
ibility of  the  air-lift  and  the  lack  of  repairs  required  are  reasons  why  it  is 
in  such  wide  use.  No  other  pumping  method  is  probably  capable  of  rais- 
ing larger  quantities  of  water  from  a  bore-hole  with  such  high  lifts  as 
encountered  around  Chicago. 


73 


COSTS   OF  PUMPING 


General  considerations. — So  many  factors  affect  the  cost  of  deep- 
well  pumping  that  it  is  very  difficult  to  make  comparisons  between  the 
different  installations.  Merely  because  a  certain  pumping  equipment  is 
able  to  deliver  water  at  a  lower  cost  per  thousand  gallons  does  not  neces- 
sarily mean  that  it  is  more  efficient  than  another  where  the  cost  is  greater. 
Much  depends  upon  the  amount  of  water  available,  height  to  be  raised, 
cost  of  power,  and  other  factors. 

Accurate  data  in  regard  to  the  cost  of  pumping  were  very  rarely  ob- 
tainable, as  at  most  stations  tests  had  not  been  made,  and  costs  of  opera- 
tion were  not  kept.  Where  steam  pumps  were  used,  the  cost  of  steam  and 
the  amounts  of  water  pumped  were  rarely  known.  Likewise  with  the  air- 
lift, neither  the  amounts  of  water  pumped  nor  the  cost  of  running  the 
compressor  were  accurately  known.  At  most  places  where  information 
in  regard  to  pumping  costs  was  obtained,  the  pumps  or  air  compressors 
were  motor  driven,  and  thus  the  calculations  were  based  on  the  amount 
of  electricity  consumed,  however,  there  were  variations  in  the  cost  of  the 
electricity.  Further,  when  the  cost  of  pumping  is  given,  it  does  not  in- 
clude depreciation  and  other  fixed  charges  that  generally  exist. 

Deep-well  and  centrifugal  pumps. — The  costs  of  operation  of  the 
small  steam  pumps  were  not  obtained,  but  these  are  noted  for  their  in- 
efficiency. In  most  places  where  they  are  used,  large  quantities  of  water 
are  not  needed,  so  that  it  may  not  always  be  advisable  to  install  more 
efficient  equipment  at  an  increased  expense. 

Many  of  the  smaller  towns  that  have  motor-driven  deep-well  pumps 
have  turned  the  management  of  the  pumps  over  to  large  electric  com- 
panies. The  electric  company  then  charges  the  towns  a  given  amount  per 
thousand  gallons  for  delivering  the  water  into  the  city  mains.  The  rate 
is  in  most  cases  4  to  5  cents  per  thousand  gallons.  Generally  the  munici- 
palities own  the  wells,  pumps  and  other  equipment,  although  the  electric 
company  looks  after  the  repairs,  except  for  new  parts.  Commonly  a 
representative  of  the  company  attends  to  the  pump,  although  most  pumps 
require  little  attention  as  they  have  automatic  starting  and  stopping 
devices.  The  towns  of  De  Kalb,  Morris,  Barrington,  Lemont,  and 
others  have  found  this  arrangement  satisfactory. 

At  one  city  where  the  electric  company  owns  the  water  works,  it  is 
able  to  pump  water  for  one  cent  per  thousand  gallons.  However,  this  in- 
cludes no  depreciation,  and  the  lift  is  not  over  50  feet. 

The  No.  7  well  at  Rockford,  which  is  equipped  with  an  "American" 
17-inch,  6-stage  combination  deep-well  and  pressure  pump,  has  a  high 
efficiency  as  indicated  by  the  tests  made  by  the  city  engineers.     Further 


74  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

description  of  the  Rock  ford  equipment  will  be  found  under  the  discussion 
of  that  locality.     The  following  is  a  reported  test  of  this  pump. 

Capacity — 1,380  gallons  per  minute. 

Discharge  pressure — 61%   pounds  equal  to  142  feet. 

Static  head  to  center  of  pressure  gauge — 95.57  feet. 

Total  head  of  237.57  feet. 

Theoretical  Horse  Power  would  be  82.1. 

Meter   reading  ahead   of  transformers — 116  K.   W. 

90%    Efficiency  Transformers— 104.4  K.  W. 

90%  Efficiency  Motor— 93.39  K.  W.  or  125  H.  P.  delivered  to  shaft  of  pump. 

Efficiency  of  pump — 65.5%. 

The  output  of  this  pump  for  12  hours  per  day  was  960,000  gallons 
at  65  pounds  pressure.  The  electricity  consumed  was  1,400  K.  W.  at 
1^4  cents  per  K.  W.  H.  or  a  cost  of  1.82  cents  per  1000  gallons.  The 
estimated  cost,  including  depreciation  and  other  fixed  charges,  is  2  cents 
per  1,000  gallons. 

A  reported  test  on  an  electrically  driven,  turbine  deep-well  pump  in 
Chicago  gave  a  cost  of  1.8  cents  per  1,000  gallons.  The  pump  delivered 
500  gallons  per  minute  against  a  head  of  216  feet;  the  electricity  was  cal- 
culated at  one  cent  per  kilowatt  hour.  No  depreciation  nor  fixed  charges 
were  included. 

Another  test  on  a  deep-well  pump  in  Chicago  follows.  This  is  a 
motor-driven,  double-acting,  deep-well  pump  rated  at  600  gallons  per 
minute.  During  the  test  530  gallons  per  minute  were  pumped  against  a 
head  of  175  feet.  The  cost  was  1.06  cents  per  1,000  gallons  counting 
current  at  1.2  cents  per  kilowatt  hour.  No  costs  other  than  the  actual 
consumption  of  electricity  were  considered. 

Air-lift  pumps. — An  idea  of  the  widespread  use  of  the  air-lift  system 
of  pumping  may  be  gained  by  noting  that  in  Chicago  86.8  per  cent  of 
the  water  obtained  from  wells  1,000  or  more  feet  in  depth  is  pumped  by 
the  air-lift. 

One  of  the  largest  packing  concerns  in  the  Stock  Yards  district 
whose  wells  are  pumped  by  this  method  reports  a  cost  of  3.22  cents  per 
1,000  gallons  which  charge  includes  repumping  to  the  different  depart- 
ments after  it  has  first  been  brought  to  the  surface  by  means  of  the  air- 
lift. This  company  pumps  as  much  or  more  than  any  other  firm  in  Chi- 
cago, and  the  pumping  equipment  is  probably  as  efficient  a  representative 
of  the  air-lift  as  can  be  found  in  the  city.  On  a  test  this  firm  was  able 
to  obtain  as  low  as  .72  cubic  feet  free  air  per  gallon  delivered.  Ordi- 
narily one  gallon  is  equivalent  to  about  .85  cubic  feet  free  air.  These  re- 
sults were  obtained  with  about  60  per  cent  submergence,  pumping  against 
a  head  of  approximately  230  feet. 

These  satisfactory  results  were  obtained  without  the  use  of  a  foot 
piece  on  the  air  pipe.    However,  the  lower  8  or  10  feet  of  the  air  pipe  was 


WELLS  75 

perforated  by  a  number  of  small  holes  whose  total  area  was  equivalent  to 
about  three  times  the  area  of  the  pipe  cross-section. 

The  above  pumping  cost  of  3.22  cents  is  approximately  equaled  by 
another  Chicago  packing  company  which  reports  slightly  less  than  3  cents 
per  1,000  gallons.  This  latter  figure  includes  only  pumping  to  the  sur- 
face and  does  not  consider  depreciation  nor  fixed  charges.  The  head 
pumped  against  is  at  least  230  feet. 

The  previously  cited  examples  of  efficient  air-lifts  are  owned  by  con- 
cerns which  have  a  number  of  wells  and  pump  a  very  large  amount  of 
water.  Companies  pumping  only  200  or  300  gallons  per  minute  and  with 
less  modern  equipment,  undoubtedly  have  higher  pumping  costs. 

The  cost  of  air-lift  pumping  varies  in  the  plants  owned  and  man- 
aged by  the  municipalities.  This  is  to  be  expected  as  the  height  to  which 
the  water  must  be  raised  is  not  everywhere  the  same ;  likewise  some 
equipments  are  more  efficient  than  others.  The  tendency  in  many  in- 
stances is  to  make  the  cost  of  pumping  appear  as  low  as  possible,  so  that 
many  items  that  should  be  included  are  omitted.  In  general  the  pump- 
ing costs  range  from  3  to  7  cents  per  1,000  gallons,  no  depreciation  nor 
other  fixed  charges  included.  Most  of  these  data  can  not  be  considered 
very  satisfactory,  as  all  of  the  necessary  information  could  not  be  ob- 
tained. 

YIELD  AS  RELATED  TO  DIAMETER  OF  WELL 

Most  of  the  wells  drilled  in  northeastern  Illinois  up  to  five  or  ten 
years  ago  were  completed  with  a  diameter  at  the  bottom  of  five  inches  or 
less.  In  wells  of  this  size,  where  the  water-bearing  formation  is  1,000  or 
more  feet  below  the  surface,  the  friction  of  the  water  against  the  walls  is 
great.  Where  pipe  is  used  instead  of  leaving  the  well  uncased,  the  fric- 
tion is  somewhat  reduced.  If  the  diameter  of  the  well  is  increased,  the 
pipe  or  wall  friction  is  greatly  reduced,  and  more  water  is  obtained  at  a 
less  draw-down. 

This  may  be  illustrated  by  considering  typical  8-inch  deep  wells  in 
Chicago.  These  wells  are  about  1,650  feet  in  depth,  and  the  important 
water-bearing  sandstone  is  encountered  at  1,350  to  1,400  feet.  A  well  of 
the  above  depth  and  a  bottom  diameter  of  eight  inches,  with  the  water 
level  at  200  feet  below  the  surface  will  yield  twice  as  much  as  a  well  with 
the  same  amount  of  lowering  and  similar  depth  but  finished  at  six  inches. 
This  increase  is  dependent  not  so  much  upon  the  increased  size  of  the 
opening  that  penetrates  the  water-bearing  formation,  as  upon  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  wall  friction,  which  the  larger  hole  makes  possible. 

The  wells  of  10  and  12  inches  also  have  an  advantage  over  the  8-inch 
well,  although  the  increase  is  not  proportionate.     The  increase  in  yield 


76  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

of  the  12-inch  well  over  the  10-inch  is  only  about  a  third  of  that  of  the 
10-inch  over  the  8-inch.  In  wells  of  this  depth  the  advantage  gained  by 
wells  over  12  inches  in  diameter  is  very  slight  as  the  important  factor 
is  then  ground  friction  or  the  resistance  to  flow  into  the  well.  This 
ground  friction  is  usually  considered  as  proportionate  to  the  yield  or  flow. 
In  case  the  openings  into  the  well  become  clogged,  as  by  the  filling  of  the 
interstices  between  the  sand  grains  with  foreign  material,  the  ground 
friction  may  become  very  high.  Cleaning  the  well  or  blasting  the  previous 
bed  with  dynamite  or  nitroglycerine  will  generally  remedy  these  condi- 
tions. 


PART   II 

BOONE  COUNTY 

Physiography 

Boone  County  is  situated  along  the  northern  border  of  the  State, 
just  east  of  the  center;  McHenry  County  adjoins  it  on  the  east,  De  Kalb 
County  on  the  south,  and  Winnebago  County  bounds  it  on  the  west.  The 
total  area  is  but  293  square  miles. 

The  part  of  the  county  south  of  Kishwaukee  River  has  a  rolling 
prairie  topography  without  great  relief.  This  type  of  topography  con- 
tinues northward  along  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  but  toward  the 
north  the  altitude  is  greater,  more  hills  are  present,  and  the  land  as  a 
whole  is  more  rolling.  The  gravel  plains  which  extend  westward  from 
the  morainic  belts  in  McHenry  County  are  the  controlling  factors  in  de- 
termining the  topography.  The  western  and  northwestern  parts  of  the 
county  are  somewhat  lower  than  the  remainder  and,  if  anything,  more 
hilly.     Some  timber  is  found  along  the  stream  courses. 

The  principal  drainage  is  effected  by  the  Kishwaukee  River  and  its 
tributaries  which  flow  westward  across  the  southern  part  of  the  county. 
The  Kishwaukee  joins  Rock  River  in  the  county  to  the  west.  Rock  River 
tributaries  flowing  westward  drain  the  northwestern  set  of  townships. 

Geology 

The  greater  part  of  the  area  is  covered  with  glacial  deposits  although 
these  are  not  so  heavy  as  in  McHenry  County  to  the  east.  The  gravel 
plains  in  the  eastern  part  are  related  to  the  morainic  systems  of  Wisconsin 
age  which  are  present  in  the  county  to  the  east.  The  sheet  of  drift  cov- 
ering the  remainder  of  the  county  is  referred  by  Leverett1  to  the  Iowan 
stage  of  glaciation. 

The  drift  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  is  generally  at  least 
75  feet  in  thickness  and  in  places  is  probably  more.  In  the  southern 
townships  the  drift  is  much  thinner,  so  that  in  a  few  places. the  rock  is 


leverett,    F.,    The    Illinois    glacial    lobe;    U.    S.    Geol.    Survey.      Monograph    38, 
p.  573,  1899. 

77 


78  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

within  a  few  feet  of  the  surface.     There  are  some  quarries  in  the  two 
southern  townships. 

The  rock  formation  underlying  the  greater  part  of  the  county  is 
the  Galena-Platteville  limestone.  This  formation  passes  under  the 
Maquoketa  shale  toward  the  southeast,  so  that  this  latter  formation 
underlies  the  drift  in  this  part  of  the  county. 

The  only  data  obtained  in  regard  to  the  deeper  strata  in  the  county 
are  from  a  single  deep  well  at  Belvidere. 

The  record  represents  the  formations  that  will  be  encountered  in 
drilling  in  other  parts  of  the  county  except  for  the  overlying  Maquoketa 
shale  which  is  present  in  the  southeastern  part.  The  depths  to  the 
various  strata  will  vary  somewhat  because  of  differences  in  surface  ele- 
vations. The  altitudes  are  greater  in  the  northern  townships,  but  the 
rise  of  the  formations  toward  the  northeast  probably  compensates  for 
the  higher  elevation  so  that  the  depths  to  the  various  strata  are  somewhat 
similar  to  those  at  Belvidere.  It  would  seem  that  the  formations  lie  at 
their  greatest  depths  in  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  county. 

The  $t.  Peter  sandstone  was  struck  in  the  Belvidere  well  at  a  depth 
of  340  feet  and  was  185  feet  thick.  The  sandstone  should  therefore  be  a 
source  of  water  in  other  parts  of  the  county  where  a  moderate  supply  is 
desired  without  drilling  to  any  great  depth.  Below  a  depth  of  725  feet 
a  series  of  sandstones  are  present  which  continue  to  the  bottom  of  the 
well. 

Underground  Waters 

general  statement 

The  county  has  a  number  of  possibilities  for  developing  under- 
ground water  supplies.  In  case  it  should  not  be  possible  to  secure 
sufficient  supplies  from  wells  200  or  300  feet  in  depth,  the  St.  Peter 
sandstone  is  present  at  a  not  much  greater  depth.  Then  finally  there  is 
the  great  series  of  "Potsdam"  sandstones  which  lie  about  200  to  300 
feet  below  the  St.  Peter. 

BELVIDERE 

The  city  water  supply  is  furnished  by  three  deep  wells  which  range 
in  depth  from  1,803  to  1,900  feet.  The  succession  of  strata  is  indicated 
by  the  record  of  well  No.  3,  which  was  drilled  in  1909. 

The  first  well  was  drilled  in  1891  to  a  depth  of  1,950  feet.  This 
well  flowed  at  first  but  ceased  at  the  end  of  about  a  year.  The  second 
well  was  drilled  in  1901  to  a  depth  of  1,861  feet  and  at  that  time  the 
level  was  3  feet  below  the  surface.  The  third  well  was  completed  in 
L909,  at  which  time  the  static  head  was  8  feet  below  the  surface;  no 
further  recession  has  been  noted.     The  effect  of  pumping  is  not  exactly 


BOONE    COUNTY  79 

known,  but  each  well  is  capable  of  supplying  400  gallons  per  minute 
with  a  suction  lift.  The  No.  3  well  is  10  inches  in  diameter  at  the  sur- 
face and  cased  to  bed  rock,  or  to  a  depth  of  50  feet ;  the  bottom  diameter 
is  8  inches  or  somewhat  less.  The  other  wells  have  8-inch  surface  and 
6-inch  bottom  diameters ;  the  amount  of  casing  is  probably  similar  to 
that  in  No.  3. 

The  temperature  of  the  water  from  the  1,803-foot  well  was  only 
52.6°  F.,  which  is  at  least  7°  F.  lower  than  that  of  other  waters  from 
this  depth.  This  temperature  of  52.6°  F.  is  that  generally  obtained  from 
shallow  well  waters.  It  is  therefore  very  probable  that  this  well  obtains 
large  additions  of  water  from  horizons  near  the  surface  or  at  the  utmost 
a  few  hundred  feet  in  depth.  This  seems  even  more  highly  probable 
when  it  is  noted  that  the  waterworks  plant  is  located  in  the  valley  of 
the  Kishwaukee  River  and  therefore  at  a  lower  elevation  than  the  sur- 
rounding area. 

The  chemical  character  of  the  water  is  indicated  by  an  analysis 
made  in  1899  from  the  water  in  the  1,900-foot  well.  The  water  is  moder- 
ately mineralized  and  contains  chiefly  the  carbonates  of  calcium  and 
magnesium.  It  is  used  for  boiler  purposes,  but  some  soft  scale  would 
form. 

The  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company  also  has  a  well 
which  is  1,231  feet  in  depth.  The  water  level  is  23  feet  below  the  sur- 
face, but  the  ground  elevation  is  probably  20  feet  above  that  at  the  city 
waterworks.  The  well  delivers  about  150  gallons  per  minute  continu- 
ously ;  the  dimensions  of  the  bore  are  not  known. 

The  chemical  character  of  the  water  is  similar  to  that  from  the  city 
wells,  although  not  quite  so  hard.  The  water  is  used  in  the  locomotive 
boilers. 

Log  of  the  Belvidere  city  well,  SW.  1/4  sec.  25,  T.  U  N.,  R.  3  E. 

Elevation — 755  feet 

Drilled  in  1909  by  J.  P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Co.,  Chicago 

Generalized  section 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 
Pleistocene  and  recent 

Surface  material,  sand,  gravel,  etc 46  46 

Ordovician  system 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite  or  limestone,  gray 294  340 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  white,  rounded   quartz  sand 185  525 


80  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Thickness 

Description  of  strata  Feet 
Prairie  du  Chien  limestone 

Sandstone   and   limestone 15 

Dolomite  or  limestone,   cherty 10 

Dolomite  or  limestone,  grayish  red 10 

Dolomite  or  limestone,  gray 10 

Dolomite  or  limestone,  grayish  red 15 

Sandstone     10 

Dolomite  or  limestone,  gray 60 

Shale,   red 80 

Cambrian  system 
"Potsdam"  group 

Sandstone 45 

Sandstone,  a  slight  reddish  color 5 

Sandstone,   white ._ ... 10 

Sandstone;    some  red  shale 65 

Shale,     red 10 

Shale,    gray 10 

Shale,    red 10 

Shale,  gray  or  grayish  green 45 

Sandstone     125 

Shale,    gray 20 

Shale,    bright    green 20 

Shale,    gray 10 

Sandstone,    gray 70 

Shale,    gray 10 

Sandstone,  gray,  medium  grained 20 

Sandstone,    gray,    fine    grained 15 

Sandstone,  gray,  medium  grained 5 

Sandstone,  shaly,  fine  grained 5 

Sandstone,  gray,  medium  grained 5 

Sandstone,  shaly,  gray 10 

Sandstone,  gray,  medium  grained 25 

Sandstone,  red,  medium  grained 5 

Shale,    sandy,    red . 10 

Sandstone,  red,  rather  coarse  grained 5 

Sandstone,  red,  medium  grained 5 

Shale,   dark   red 5 

Sandstone,  light  yellow,  medium  grained 10 

Sandstone,  red,  fine  grained 10 

Sandstone,  red,  fine  grained 5 

Sandstone,   coarse   grained 5 

Sandstone,  red,  medium  grained 10 

Sandstone,  light  pink,  medium  grained 60 

Sandstone,  pink,  medium  grained 5 

Shale,     red 5 

Sandstone,  light  yellow  to  pink 20 

Shale,  dark  red 3 

Sandstone,  red,  medium  grained 2 

Shale,  dark  red 5 


Depth 

Feet 


530 
540 

550 
560 

575 
585 
645 

725 


770 
775 
785 
850 
860 
870 
880 
925 
1050 
1070 
1090 
1100 
1170 
1180 
1200 
1215 
1220 
1225 
1230 
1240 
1265 
1270 
1280 
1285 
1290 
1295 
1305 
1315 
1320 
1325 
1335 
1395 
1400 
1405 
1425 
1428 
1430 
1435 


COOK    COUNTY  81 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Sandstone,  red,  medium  grained 3  1438 

Shale,   dark  red 2  1440 

Sandstone,  pink,  medium  grained. 10  1450 

Sandstone,  light  yellow,  medium  grained 10  1460 

Sandstone,  light  pink,  medium  grained 50  1510 

Shale,    sandy,    red 5  1515 

Sandstone,  red,  fine  grained 5  1520 

Shale,    sandy,    pink 5  1525 

Sandstone,  pink,  fine  grained 5  1530 

Shale,    red 10  1540 

Sandstone,  reddish  yellow,  medium  grained 10  1550 

Sandstone,  grayish  red,  medium  grained 97  1647 

Sandstone,  gray,  medium  grained 8  1655 

Shale,   grayish  pink 5  1660 

Sandstone,  yellowish  red,  medium  grained 5  1665 

Sandstone,  pink,  coarse  grained 5  1670 

Sandstone,  light  pink,  rather  coarse  grained 5  1675 

Sandstone,  light  yellow,  medium  to  coarse  grained 20  1695 

Sandstone,  pink,  medium  grained 15  1710 

Sandstone,  light  pink,  fairly  coarse  grained 20  1730 

Sandstone,  gray,  medium  grained 10  1740' 

Sandstone,  yellowish  pink,  coarse 15  1755 

Sandstone,  pink,  medium  to  coarse 48  180& 

COOK  COUNTY 

Physiography 

Cook  County,  with  Lake  Michigan  as  the  greater  part  of  its  eastern 
boundary  is  one  of  the  largest  counties  in  the  State,  having  an  area  over 
900  square  miles.  The  maximum  north  and  south  extent  is  fifty  miles, 
and  the  average  width  is  about  eighteen,  although  the  western  boundary 
is  very  irregular.  The  relief  varies  from  the  flat  plain  of  Chicago  and 
environs  to  the  undulating  surface  of  the  western  part  of  the  county. 
There  is  a  gradual  rise  from  the  level  of  Lake  Michigan  at  581  feet  to 
the  western  part  of  the  Chicago  plain  which  has  an  elevation  of  640 
feet  above  sea  level  or  60  feet  above  the  lake.  This  flat  area  is  in  the 
form  of  a  crescent,  with  the  lake  forming  the  inner  border.  The  north- 
ern tip  is  at  Winnetka  on  the  lake  shore  about  eight  miles  north  of  the 
Chicago  city  limits.  The  outer  border  of  the  crescent  then  extends 
south  and  westward  in  the  vicinity  of  Melrose  Park  and  LaGrange ; 
whence  it  swings  eastward,  passing  through  the  village  of  Glenwood, 
and  finally  extending  into   Indiana  at  Dyer. 

The  transition  from  the  Chicago  plain  to  the  region  of  undulating 
topography  to  the  west  is  in  some  places  noticeable,  but  in  most  cases 
the  change  is  scarcely  perceptible.  This  belt  of  undulating  country, 
continuing  southward  from  Lake  County  through  the  northwestern  part 


82  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

of  Cook  County,  and  extending  across  DuPage  and  the  western,  south- 
western, and  extreme  southern  part  of  Cook  County,  is  called  the  Val- 
paraiso morainic  system.  Many  parts  of  this  higher  area  have  eleva- 
tions of  200  feet  above  Lake  Michigan,  and  in  the  extreme  northwestern 
part  of  the  county  some  points  are  300  feet  above  the  lake.  This 
morainic  system  has  an  important  bearing  on  the  underground  waters 
of  this  district,  as  will  be  shown  later. 

Drainage  is  not  well  developed,  but  it  is  accomplished  chiefly  by  the 
Desplaines  and  Chicago  rivers  and  their  tributaries.  The  extreme  north- 
western part  of  the  county  is  in  the  drainage  basin  of  the  Fox  River. 
The  southeastern  part  of  the  county,  in  the  vicinity  of  South  Chicago 
and  Lake  Calumet,  is  poorly  drained  by  the  Calumet  River.  This  inter- 
esting stream  has  its  source  in  the  western  part  of  La  Porte  County, 
Indiana,  and  for  a  distance  of  45  miles  flows  sluggishly  westward, 
paralleling  Lake  Michigan  at  a  distance  of  only  a  few  miles.  At  the  city 
of  Blue  Island  it  abruptly  changes  its  course  and  flows  eastward  for 
20  miles,  not  over  two  or  three  miles  north  of  its  westerly  course.  The 
outlet  to  Lake  Michigan  is  finally  effected  at  two  places.  The  peculiar 
course  of  this  stream  is  due  to  the  recession  of  the  old  Lake  Chicago, 
the  waters  of  which  formerly  flowed  southward  into  the  Desplaines 
River  at  Summit  and  through  the  Sag  outlet.1 

Geology 

The  greater  part  of  the  county  is  covered  by  a  mantle  of  glacial 
drift  consisting  of  clay,  sand,  gravel,  and  boulders ;  although  in  many 
places  on  the  Chicago  plain  the  drift  is  comparatively  thin,  and  there  are 
even  a  few  outcrops,  the  bed  rock  is  for  the  most  part  concealed  by  a 
heavy  mantel  of  drift  which  has  a  thickness  of  140  feet  at  Superior  and 
North  State  streets,  a  location  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  northeast 
of  the  junction  of  the  North  and  South  Branches  of  Chicago  River.  As 
there  is  very  little  surface  relief,  these  variations  in  the  thickness  of  the 
drift  indicate  that  the  underlying  rock  surface  has  prominences  and 
depressions.  The  average  thickness  of  the  drift  on  the  Chicago  plain  is 
about  60  or  75  feet.  The  drift  is  usually  thick  along  the  Valparaiso 
morainic  system,  thicknesses  of  200  feet  not  being  unusual;  likewise  in 
the  northwestern  part  of  the  county  in  the  vicinity  of  Palatine  and  Bar- 
rington  and  in  Schaumberg  Township  the  drift  is  250  to  300  feet  thick. 

The  Niagaran  limestone  is  the  underlying  rock  formation  of  Cook 
County  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  indurated  strata  to  have  been  pre- 
served.    Evidences,  however,  have  been  found  of  the  existence  at  one 


1  Leverctt,   P.,   The  Illinois  Glacial   Lobe:   U.   S.   Geol.   Survey  Monograph   38,  p. 
4  20,    1899. 


COOK    COUNTY 


time  in  this  region  of  deposits  of  a  younger  age  than  the  Niagaran.  At 
Elmhurst,  in  Du  Page  County,  just  over  the  western  boundary  of  Cook 
County,  Devonian  fossils  have  been  found  in  the  crevices  of  the  Nia- 
garan limestone.1  Also  samples  from  a  deep  well  drilled  for  the  Grasselli 
Chemical  Company,  East  Chicago,  Indiana,  which  is  4  miles  east  of  the 
Illinois-Indiana  boundary  at  West  Hammond,  indicate  110  feet  of  shale 
and  argillaceous  limestone  above  the  typical  Niagaran,  containing  spores 
of  plants  called  Sporangites,  which  have  usually  been  considered  indi- 
cative of  Devonian  age.  The  Niagaran  limestone  can  be  seen  in  many 
quarries  along  the  Desplaines  River  as  at  Willow  Springs.  This  forma- 
tion has  an  interesting  exposure  in  the  southern  part  of  Chicago,  called 
Stony  Island.  The  Niagaran  is  a  rather  compact,  gray,  subcrystalline 
limestone  containing  in  many  places  so  much  magnesium  that  it  is  called 
a  dolomite.  The  exposed  surfaces  in  quarries  weather  to  a  light  buff  or 
gray  color.  In  a  few  exposures  the  rock  contains  some  bitumen  and 
asphalt,  occurring  in  pores  and  cavities  of  the  limestone,  and  the  presence 
of  a  noticeable  amount  of  hydrogen  sulphide  in  much  of  the  water  from 
the  Niagaran  limestone  may  be  traceable  to  this  cause.  The  thickness 
of  this  formation  varies  from  less  than  100  feet  in  the  northwestern 
part  of  the  county  to  over  450  feet  in  parts  of  Chicago. 

The  Maquoketa  shale  underlies  the  Niagaran  limestone.  The  char- 
acter of  this  formation  in  this  locality  can  be  inferred  only  from  a  study 
of  the  well  drillings,  which  indicate  a  very  compact,  close-textured,  gray 
or  bluish-gray  shale.  The  well  records  show  a  variation  in  thickness 
from  120  feet  in  the  south  part  of  Chicago  to  250  feet  in  the  Stock 
Yards,  not  over  seven  miles  distant.  The  average  thickness  is  probably 
less  than  200  feet.  The  compactness  of  the  Maquoketa  shale  prevents 
it  from  being  a  water-bearing  formation.  Indeed,  it  serves  as  an  im- 
pervious stratum  separating  the  waters  of  the  Niagaran  limestone  from 
those  of  the  Galena-Platteville. 

The  Galena-Platteville  limestone,  which  underlies  the  Maquoketa 
shale,  is  a  light  gray  to  cream-colored  gray,  dolomite  or  limestone,  in 
places  cherty,  containing  considerable  magnesium  carbonate.  The  thick- 
ness ranges  from  300  to  450  feet. 

The  St.  Peter  sandstone  is  the  next  formation  in  descending  order. 
This  was  one  of  the  earliest  sources  of  considerable  artesian  water.  The 
extreme  development  of  the  underground  water  resources  in  this  county, 
particularly  in  Chicago  and  vicinity,  has  depleted  the  supply  to  a  great 
extent.  The  St.  Peter  is  composed  of  a  remarkably  pure,  rather  well- 
rounded,  siliceous  sand,  ranging  in  size   from  a  powder  to  grains  one 

1  Weller,    Stuart,    A   peculiar   Devonian    deposit    in    northeastern    Illinois:    Jour. 
Geology,  vol.   8,  p.  483,  1899. 


84  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

millimeter  in  diameter  but  averaging  less  than  .5  millimeter.  The  thick- 
ness varies  abruptly;  differences  of  100  feet,  between  places  a  com- 
paratively short  distance  apart,  are  not  unusual.  Thicknesses  ranging 
from  20  to  over  300  feet  have  been  noted.  The  St.  Peter  sand  was 
deposited  on  a  very  uneven  surface  of  the  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone, 
which  accounts  for  its  great  variation  in  thickness.  The  contact  between 
the  St.  Peter  and  the  underlying  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone  is  distin- 
guished in  many  well  drillings  by  a  red  shale  and  cherty  horizon. 

The  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone  is  in  most  places  a  dolomite  gray 
in  color,  or  gray  with  a  faint  brown  tinge.  In  many  places  the  lower 
part  of  the  formation  contains  a  dolomitic  sandstone  which  has  a  notable 
content  of  disseminated  glauconite  or  -green  sand.  This  is  underlain  by 
a  sandy  dolomite  which  is  also  somewhat  glauconiferous.  The  thickness 
of  this  glauconiferous,  sandy,  and  dolomitic  zone  is  variable  but  about 
50  feet  is  probably  the  average.  This  is  underlain  by  the  first  heavy 
sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group.  It  is  difficult  to  say  whether  this 
sandy  glauconiferous  bed  corresponds  with  Chamberlin's x  Madison 
and  Mendota  of  Wisconsin,  or  whether  the  underlying  200  feet  of  sand- 
stone is  the  equivalent  of  the  Madison.  This  sandy  bed  at  the  base  of 
the  "Lower  Magnesian"  is  recognized  only  in  a  study  of  the  well  drill- 
ings and  is  not  differentiated  in  the  drillers'  logs.  It  has  therefore  been 
thought  best  in  this  report  to  define  the  "Potsdam"  group  as  beginning 
with  the  first  heavy  sandstone  below  the  St.  Peter. 

The  known  succession  of  the  "Potsdam"  group,  as  the  term  is  here 
used,  can  be  divided  into  three  divisions,  in  descending  order.  The  first, 
or  upper,  consists  of  a  200-foot  sandstone  very  similar  to  the  St.  Peter, 
although  the  grains  are  probably  not  so  well  rounded.  This  is  the  great 
water-bearing  stratum  of  Chicago  and  Cook  County,  and  is  usually 
spoken  of  by  drillers  as  the  "Potsdam  sandstone."  The  second  division 
is  a  thickness  of  300  to  350  feet  of  siliceous  and  dolomitic  shales,  inter- 
bedded  with  thin  beds  of  shaly  dolomite  and  dolomitic  sandstones.  The 
third  division,  which  has  been  penetrated  for  at  least  350  feet,  is  a 
medium  to  coarse-grained  sandstone.  The  sand  grains  of  the  upper  250 
feet  of  the  lowest  division  are  fine  to  coarse  in  size  and  vary  from 
colorless  to  light  yellow.  The  lower  100  feet  is  a  chocolate-colored  or 
reddish-brown  sandstone. 

This  three- fold  division  is  similar  to  a  like  stratigraphic  succession 
recognized  in  Minnesota  and  Iowa,  in  descending  order,  as  the  Jordan 
sandstone,  the  St.  Lawrence  formation,  and  the  Dresbach  sandstone  and 
underlying  Cambrian  strata ;  these  divisions  in  Iowa  and  Minnesota  may 
correlate  with  those  of  Illinois. 


Chambfirlin,    T.    C,    Geology    of   Wisconsin,    1S73-1S79. 


COOK    COUNTY  85 

Underground  Waters 
sources 

The  waters  of  the  surface  deposits  are  of  importance  in  some 
localities.  The  controlling  factors  in  determining  the  quantity  of  water 
available  in  these  unconsolidated  deposits  are  the  character  and  thickness 
of  the  drift  and  the  surface  drainage.  In  some  cases  the  sand  and  gravel 
of  the  drift  may  be  present  in  more  or  less  irregular  beds  which  vary  in 
composition,  thickness,   and  extent. 

The  surface  drainage  along  the  Valparaiso  morainic  system  is  so 
poor  that  a  large  amount  of  water  soaks  into  the  ground.  This  surface 
water  later  finds  beds  of  sand  or  gravel  which  act  as  transmitting 
mediums ;  where  these  pervious  strata  are  sloping  and  are  overlain  by 
compact  clay  beds,  artesian  conditions  are  produced,  and  wells  drilled  at 
lower  elevations  than  those  of  the  general  region  may  flow.  In  many 
instances,  even  though  the  wells  do  not  overflow,  there  is  enough  static 
head  and  water  available  to  make  these  wells  important  sources  of 
supply. 

The  amount  of  water  in  the  underlying  bed  rock  is  likewise  de- 
pendent upon  that  collected  by  the  overlying  drift.  The  limestone  is 
more  or  less  fissured  and  in  many  places  definite  water  channels  have 
been  formed.  It  has  also  been  found  that  the  bed-rock  surface  under- 
lying the  morainic  system  has  a  somewhat  greater  altitude  than  the  rock 
surface  underlying  the  bordering  ground  moraine.  Therefore,  with  the 
moraine  acting  as  a  collecting  area  at  a  higher  elevation,  wells  along 
its  border  often  yield  large  supplies  of  water.  Such  conditions  exist 
along  the  western  and  southern  boundaries  of  the  county,  as  illustrated 
by  the  wells  at  Chicago  Heights  and  vicinity,  the  collecting  region  of 
higher  elevation  being  to  the  south.  Also  the  shallow  wells  at  Elmhurst 
and  Hinsdale,  just  over  the  line  in  Du  Page  County  furnish  a  large 
amount  of  water. 

Particularly  in  the  extreme  northwestern  part  of  the  county,  be- 
cause of  the  heavy  drift  mantle,  large  supplies  are  obtained  from  wells 
terminating  either  in  the  drift  or  in  the  underlying  Niagaran  limestone. 

Most  of  the  towns  of  the  western  part  of  the  county  obtain  their 
municipal  supply  from  wells  penetrating  the  "Potsdam"  group,  but  as 
these  wells  are  uncased  undoubtedly  some  additional  water  is  obtained 
also  from  the  Niagaran  limestone. 

Every  rock  formation  underlying  Cook  County,  with  the  exception 
of  the  Maquoketa  shale,  is  capable  of  yielding  some  water.  The  strata, 
however,  that  contain  the  largest  amounts  of  water  of  artesian  char- 
acter are  the  "Potsdam"  group  and  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.    The  forma- 


86  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

tions  rise  gradually  toward  the  north  and  west  until  they  finally  outcrop 
in  south-central  Wisconsin.  The  porous  rocks  here  become  saturated 
with  water  from  rainfall.  The  water  is  then  transmitted  through  these 
pervious  formations  by  gravity  or  hydrostatic  pressure.  The  upward 
escape  of  the  water  is  prevented  by  overlying  impervious  strata;  it  is 
only  when  these  water-charged  beds  are  tapped  by  drilling  in  a  region 
of  lower  elevation  than  the  collecting  area  that  the  waters  escape.  The 
hydrostatic  head  may  not  be  sufficient  in  all  cases  to  yield  flowing  wells, 
but  the  conditions  are  nevertheless  artesian. 

The  sandy,  glauconiferous  horizon  of  the  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone, 
about  100  feet  above  the  "Potsdam"  group,  is  also  water  bearing.  Some 
of  the  drillers'  logs  mention  crevices  at  this  depth.  This  water  may  have 
been  forced  upward  from  the  underlying  "Potsdam"  group  by  its  own 
hydrostatic  pressure. 

The  Galena-Platteville  in  some  localities  contains  a  little  water. 
However,  because  it  is  the  usual  practice  to  leave  this  formation  uncased, 
it  is  probable  that  more  water  is  lost  through  crevices  than  is  gained. 

The  Niagaran  limestone  in  many  places  yields  large  supplies  of 
water,  particularly  where  the  region  is  overlain  by  a  heavy  mantle  of 
drift.  Wells  in  the  Niagaran  limestone  at  the  borders  of  heavy  belts  of 
drift  or  moraines  furnish  especially  large  amounts  of  water. 

There  has  been  a  general  lowering  of  the  static  head  of  the  under- 
ground waters  of  this  county,  particularly  in  Chicago,  since  the  first  wells 
were  drilled.  The  amount  of  lowering  is  in  direct  ratio  to  the  amount  of 
development.  For  instance,  in  the  Stock  Yards  at  Chicago,  where  wells 
of  very  large  capacity  have  been  drilled  within  the  past  few  years,  the 
head  has  been  dropping  at  the  rate  of  about  nine  feet  per  year.  The 
recession  in  this  part  of  Chicago  has  been  approximately  240  feet  since 
1889.  In  other  parts  of  Chicago  and  the  county  the  lowering  has  not 
been  so  rapid. 

CHEMICAL    CHARACTER 

There  is  considerable  difference  in  the  amount  of  dissolved  mineral 
matter  in  the  waters  from  different  depths.  Water  from  the  same  bed  at 
different  localities  shows  also  a  variation,  although  in  a  unit  area  of  the 
size  of  Chicago  the  waters  from  the  same  stratum  are  very  similar.  As 
the  prevalent  practice  is  to  case  the  wells  only  through  the  surface  drift 
and  any  caving  formation  that  may  be  encountered,  the  artesian  waters 
from  lower  horizons  are  possibly  diluted  by  the  waters  from  the  upper 
beds.  A  large  number  of  analyses  of  waters  from  this  county  have  been 
made,  and  factors  determining  the  chemical  character  will  be  discussed 
in  describing  the  water  from  the  different  localities. 


COOK   COUNTY  87 

The  water  obtained  from  the  drift  and  the  Niagaran  limestone  is,  as 
a  rule,  softer  than  that  from  the  lower  artesian  horizons.  It  is  not  possible 
in  all  places,  however,  to  secure  a  sufficient  supply  from  these  shallow 
depths. 

In  general,  the  water  obtained  from  the  first  sandstone  of  the 
"Potsdam"  group  has  a  high  mineral  content.  The  sulphates  and  bicar- 
bonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium  are  present  in  large  amounts,  and 
the  water  is  not  adapted  to  boiler  use  without  treatment.  Some  water 
containing  a  small  amount  of  the  calcium  and  magnesium  salts  is  obtained 
from  the  shaly  sandstones  of  the  second  division  in  the  "Potsdam"  group. 
The  amount,  however,  is  small,  as  indicated  by  tests  made  on  the  Chicago 
and  North  Western  Railway  wells  at  Proviso.  These  wells  are  eight  inches 
in  diameter  at  the  bottom  and  did  not  yield  over  100  gallons  per  minute 
with  a  lowering  of  200  feet  in  the  water  level.  The  sandstones  of  the 
third  division  of  the  "Potsdam"  series  cannot  be  penetrated  for  a  great 
distance  before  salt  water  is  struck ;  this  is  particularly  true  in  Chicago 
and  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county. 

Chicago 
general  statement 

Many  industries  in  Chicago  requiring  large  amounts  of  water  have 
been  fortunate  in  being  able  to  secure  this  supply  from  underground 
sources.  Until  within  the  past  ten  years  the  static  head  has  also  been  so 
high  that  pumping  has  not  been  difficult.  The  wells  of  Chicago  may  be 
divided  into  two  groups:  (1)  shallow  rock  wells,  less  than  500  feet  in 
depth,  which  obtain  water  from  the  Niagaran  limestone;  (2)  deep  rock 
wells  which  are  over  1,000  feet  in  depth  and  obtain  their  main  supply  of 
water  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone,  and 
"Potsdam"  group. 

SHALLOW   ROCK   WELLS 

The  shallow  rock  wells  penetrate  the  Niagaran  formation  and  range 
from  200  to  500  feet  in  depth  and  average  300  to  350  feet.  They  are 
usually  drilled  where  only  a  comparatively  small  amount  of  water  is 
required,  as  not  over  20  gallons  per  minute.  The  diameter  of  the  surface 
casing  varies  from  4  to  8  inches,  6  and  8  inches  being  the  sizes  most  used. 
The  wells  are  finished  at  3^  to  6  inches  in  diameter  at  the  bottom,  5 
inches  being  a  common  size. 

The  yield  from  these  wells  is  not  great;  15  to  20  gallons  per  minute 
is  about  the  average,  although  some  wells  were  reported  yielding  25  and 
35  gallons,  and  one  at  the  Crane  plant  produces  75  gallons  per  minute. 
This  latter  figure  is  very  unusual,  and  it  is  evident  that  a  limestone  crevice 


88  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

has  been  penetrated  which  contains  much  water.  It  is  probable  that 
more  water  could  be  obtained  from  these  Niagaran  limestone  wells  by 
increasing  their  diameter.  However,  no  large  amount  of  water  is  con- 
tained in  this  formation  at  Chicago,  and  the  yield  from  these  wells  will 
never  in  any  way  compare  with  that  from  the  deeper  rock  wells. 

The  water  level  in  the  shallow  wells  is  not  constant  but  varies  greatly 
within  short  distances  and  is  also  dependent  upon  pumpage  and  the 
number  of  wells  in  the  neighborhood.  Deep-well  steam  pumps,  either 
single  or  double  acting,  are  in  general  use. 

DEEP   ROCK   WELLS 
HISTORICAL    DISCUSSION 

Probably  the  first  deep  rock  well  drilled  in  Chicago  was  sunk  in 
1864  at  the  corner  of  Chicago  and  Western  avenues.1  A  strong  flow  of 
water  was  obtained  at  a  depth  of  711  feet,  probably  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  Galena-Platteville  limestone.  The  water  rose  to  a  height  of  80 
feet  above  the  surface  or  about  111  feet  above  Lake  Michigan.  This 
well  has  since  been  abandoned.  The  water  level  has  greatly  lowered 
since  that  time  so  that  at  present  the  level  in  other  wells  drilled  in  the 
vicinity  is  150  feet  below  the  surface.  This  is  a  lowering  of  230  feet, 
and  the  present  static  head  is  of  water  from  a  lower  horizon  than  that 
penetrated  by  the  well  drilled  in  1864. 

Since  the  drilling  of  this  first  well  a  large  number  of  others  have 
been  sunk.  It  is  not  possible  to  determine  the  total  number  of  wells 
drilled  in  the  city,  as  a  large  number  of  them  have  been  abandoned. 
However,  from  an  incomplete  record  of  the  abandoned  wells  that  have 
been  located  and  of  the  present  125  or  more  wells  in  active  service,  it  is 
probable  that  since  1864  at  least  300  or  350  wells  1,000  feet  or  more  in 
depth  have  been  drilled.  It  is  hardly  apparent  that  more  wells  have 
ever  been  in  operation  than  at  the  present  time,  but  as  old  wells  became, 
clogged  and  the  casings  corroded,  new  wells  were  sunk  instead  of  re- 
pairing old  ones.  The  recent  tendency  is  to  replace  a  group  of  old 
wells  of  small  bore  by  one  large  well.  More  water  has  been  obtained  by 
this  method  and  at  a  lower  cost  of  pumping.  There  is  no  doubt  but 
that  a  greater  amount  of  water  is  pumped  at  the  present  time  than  ever 
before. 

WATER-BEARING    STRATA 

St.  Peter  sandstone. — The  earlier  deep  wells  in  the  city  obtained 
water  from  the  St.   Peter  sandstone  which  in  43  logs  is   found  at  an 


1  Schufeldt,  Jr.,  George  A.,  History  of  the  Chicago  artesian  well,  Chicago,  1865: 
Religio-Philosophical  Publishing  Association,   Chicago,   1897. 


COOK   COUNTY  89 

average  depth  of  894  feet,  with  an  average  thickness  of  115  feet.  The 
shallowest  depth  recorded  is  in  the  Stock  Yards  district,  where  it  is  860 
feet,  and  its  greatest  depth  is  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  city,  where 
it  was  found  to  be  988  feet  in  the  Columbia  Malting  Company  well.  It 
may  be  even  deeper  in  the  extreme  southeastern  corner  of  the  city,  as 
four  miles  east  in  Indiana  and  at  practically  the  same  elevation  its  depth 
is  1,115  feet. 

As  the  number  of  wells  increased  in  Chicago,  less  and  less  water 
was  obtained  from  the  St.  Peter  horizon,  so  that  at  the  present  time 
scarcely  a  well  obtains  its  chief  supply  from  this  formation.  A  test  was 
made  of  the  amount  of  water  that  could  be  obtained  from  this  sand- 
stone in  a  well  drilled  in  1912  at  the  Western  Electric  Co.  in  the  western 
part  of  the  city  in  which  the  St.  Peter  was  145  feet  thick  and  860  feet 
deep.  The  tests  indicated  that  the  supply  was  less  than  20  gallons  per 
minute. 

Prairie  du  Chien  group. — When  it  was  no  longer  possible  to  obtain 
a  sufficient  supply  from  the  St.  Peter,  the  wells  were  drilled  to  1,200  or 
1,300  feet  where  a  sandy  and  fissured  stratum  containing  considerable 
water  is  present  in  the  Prairie  du  Chien.  This  sandy  stratum  will  yet 
yield  from  a  well  6  or  8  inches  in  bottom  diameter,  over  100  gallons  per 
minute.  However,  as  a  200-foot  bed  of  sandstone  is  found  at  1,400 
feet,  the  usual  practice  is  to  drill  through  this  formation  and  complete 
the  well  at  about  1,600  feet. 

It  is  not  to  be  inferred  that  no  wells  deeper  than  the  St.  Peter  sand- 
stone were  drilled  while  this  formation  yielded  large  amounts,  because 
wells  obtaining  water  from  the  "Potsdam"  group  have  been  drilled  for 
at  least  35  years.  The  purpose  is  only  to  show  the  gradual  deepening 
of  all  wells. 

"Potsdam"  group. — The  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group, 
which  has  already  been  referred  to  as  the  source  of  the  greatest  amount 
of  Chicago's  deep  well  water,  is  found  at  an  average  depth  of  1,400  feet. 
The  29  drillers'  logs  used  in  determining  the  average  depth  gave  also 
an  average  thickness  of  192  feet.  The  variation  in  depth  and  thickness 
is  probably  due  in  part  to  the  difficulty  the  drillers  have  in  accurately 
differentiating  the  lower  sandy  member  of  the  Prairie  du  Chien  lime- 
stone from  the  main  sandstone.  There  is  probably  a  variation  of  over 
100  feet  in  the  depth  with  apparently  the  shallowest  depth  of  1,385  feet 
at  the  Stock  Yards.  The  maximum  is  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the 
city,  where  it  is  at  least  1,495  feet  as  shown  by  the  log  of  the  American 
Malting  Company  at  Kensington.  This  variation  must  be  due  to  the 
dip  of  the  formation,  as  there  is  only  a  difference  of  a  few  feet  in  the 
surface  elevations. 


90  ARTESIAN    WATERS    Of  NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  next  division  of  the  "Potsdam"  group  from  about  1,600  to 
1,875  feet  is  for  the  most  part  a  shale,  in  places  slightly  dolomitic  and 
sandy.  The  formation,  because  of  its  impervious  character,  contains 
very  little  water.  Although  a  number  of  the  wells  penetrate  it  for  a 
considerable  distance,  no  increased  supply  of  water  is  thus  obtained. 

A  number  of  the  wells  draw  water  from  the  third  division  of  the 
"Potsdam",  or  the  lower  sandstone.  This  is  struck  in  the  Sears,  Roe- 
buck &  Company  well  in  the  west-central  part  of  the  city  at  1,868  feet, 
and  in  the  Stock  Yards  well  it  is  found  at  about  1,875  feet,  according 
to  the  drillers'  logs.  The  water  from  this  lower  sandstone  contains  a 
large  amount  of  dissolved  mineral  matter,  particularly  sodium  chloride 
or  common  salt. 

SIZE   OF   WELLS   AND   CASING 

The  wells  in  Chicago  encounter  at  least  two  horizons  that  are  likely 
to  cave,  and  these  formations  are  therefore  most  commonly  cased  off. 
The  placing  of  this  casing  reduces  the  size  of  the  hole,  so  that  to  secure 
a  well  finished  at  a  definite  diameter  it  is  necessary  to  have  the  hole  at 
the  surface  much  larger.  For  instance,  a  typical  well  that  is  drilled  at 
present  has  a  hole  drilled  large  enough  to  admit  a  12-inch  surface  pipe 
to  bed  rock.  This  distance  will  vary,  but  is  about  75  feet;  the  hole  is 
then  drilled  12  inches  in  diameter  until  the  Maquoketa  shale  is  passed 
at  about  550  feet.  This  shale,  which  is  about  200  feet  thick,  is  likely 
to  cave  and  is  therefore  cased  off  with  10-inch  pipe.  The  well  is  then 
continued  at  10  inches,  or  slightly  less,  until  the  base  of  the  St.  Peter  is 
reached  at  about  1,000  feet,  where  another  caving  formation,  present  at 
many  places,  must  be  cased  off  with  30  to  60  feet  of  8-inch  casing,  and 
the  well  is  drilled  to  completion  8  inches,  or  slightly  less,  in  diameter. 
A  number  of  wells  of  this  size  and  about  1,650  feet  in  depth  have  been 
drilled  in  Chicago  during  the  past  two  or  three  years.  These  wells  have 
proved  satisfactory  and  yield  as  high  as  700  gallons  per  minute. 

A  few  large  wells  have  been  drilled  in  the  Stock  Yards  district- 
within  the  past  few  years,  which  have  been  20  and  22  inches  in  diameter 
at  the  surface  and  finished  at  15^  or  16  inches.  The  yield  from  these 
large  wells  has  been  enormous,  one  well  testing  nearly  2,000  gallons  per 
minute  for  several  hours. 

PUMP  AGE 

Daily  Supply. — During  the  summer  of  1914,  the  number  of  wells 
in  Chicago  over  1,000  feet  deep  in  active  service  was  125.  The  pumpage 
from  these  wells  was  over  30,100,000  gallons  per  24  hours.  Within  a 
circle  of  a  half-mile  radius  in  the  Stock  Yards  26  wells  delivered  13,450,- 
200  gallons,  or  44.3  per  cent  of  the  total  daily  pumpage  from  the  deep 


COOK    COUNTY  91 

wells  in  the  city.  Five  wells  in  the  Stock  Yards  area  pumped  7,315,200 
gallons  daily  or  54.4  per  cent  of  the  pumpage  from  the  wells  in  the 
previously  mentioned  circular  area.  The  pumpage  from  these  five  wells 
is  also  24.3  per  cent  of  the  total  pumpage  from  the  125  wells  in  Chicago. 
(See  figure  1.) 

It  was  also  found  that  within  the  past  5  years  a  number  of  wells 
yielding  a  large  amount  have  been  drilled.  The  wells  in  active  service 
were  divided  into  two  groups  according  to  their  age.  It  was  found  that 
84  had  been  drilled  previous  to  January  1,  1909,  and  that  41  had  been 
drilled  since  that  date  up  to  the  summer  of  1914.  The  old  84  wells 
pumped  only  13,900,000  or  46.2  per  cent  of  the  daily  amount,  whereas 
the  41  recently  drilled  wells  pumped  the  remaining  53.8  per  cent  (fig.  2). 
This  also  corresponds  with  the  great  lowering  of  the  static  head  within 
the  past  few  years  as  shown  by  figure  3. 

The  30,100,000  gallons  of  water  pumped  daily  from  the  deep  wells 
of  Chicago  is  equivalent  to  a  per  capita  consumption  of  100  gallons  in 
a  city  with  a  population  of  300,000.  This  amount  of  water  would  also 
cover  100  acres  to  a  depth  of  one  foot. 

Effects  of  heavy  pumpage. — It  is  obvious  that  the  more  water  ob- 
tained from  a  well  or  a  group  of  wells,  the  greater  the  effect  will  be  upon 
neighboring  wells.  Also,  the  greater  the  pumpage,  the  greater  is  the 
circle  of  influence. 

The  effect  of  the  concentrated  pumping  in  the  Stock  Yards  district 
undoubtedly  exerts  an  influence  over  a  large  area.  The  contour  map  of 
the  artesian  water  table  in  Chicago  (Plate  IV)  shows  this  depression  at 
the  Stock  Yards,  and  the  gradual  rise  in  the  static  head  as  the  distance 
from  this  locality  increases.  It  is  difficult,  however,  to  note  accurately 
the  pumping  effects  of  any  one  well  or  group  of  wells  on  others,  as  each 
of  the  many  wells  in  the  vicinity  affect  all  the  others. 

The  lowering  of  the  water  level  in  any  single  well  during  pumping 
depends  upon  such  factors  as :  size  of  well,  rate  of  pumping,  presence 
or  absence  of  casing,  and  number  of  neighboring  wells.  The  size  of  the 
well  plays  a  greater  part  in  the  lowering  of  level  during  operation  than 
has  commonly  been  considered  in  Chicago.  This  is  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  main  water-bearing  horizon  lies  at  a  depth  of  at  least  1,400  feet,  and 
the  water  therefore  encounters  considerable  friction  against  the  walls  of 
the  well  in  rising  through  this  height.  Another  resistance  to  flow  is  the 
ground  friction  or  the  resistance  to  entrance  into  the  well. 

Pumping  methods. — The  greater  amount  of  the  artesian  water  is 
pumped  by  means  of  the  air-lift.  The  pumping  equipment  of  97  wells  or 
77.6  per  cent  of  the  total  125  wells  is  the  air  lift,  and  these  wells  pump 
26,130,740  gallons  or  86.8  per  cent  of  the  daily  pumpage.    The  great  head 


92 


ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


i 

Millions  of  gallons  per  day 

5                             lO                           15                           20                          26                          30 

■^      J 

Z^T 

maa 

■ 

Fig.  1.  Diagram  showing  the  amount  of  water  pumped  daily  in  1914  from: 

A.  All  the  deep  wells  in  Chicago; 

B.  The  26  wells  in  the  Stock  Yards; 

C.  The  99  wells  in  the  rest  of  Chicago; 

D.  The  5  largest  wells  in  the  Stock  Yards. 


A 
B 
C 

Millions  of  gallons  per  day 

5                           lO                          15                         SO 

25 

3Q 

| 

A 

B 
C 

Wells  in  Chicago 

25 

SO 

75 

IOO 

125 

150 

J_ 

1 

1 

1 

I 

■ 

Fig.  2.  Diagram  showing  the  amount  of  water  pumped  daily  and  the  number  of 
wells  in  1914  in  Chicago  for: 

A.  The  entire  city; 

B.  The  wells  drilled  prior  to  1909; 

C.  The  wells  drilled  from  1909  to  1914. 


COOK    COUNTY  93 

to  be  pumped  against  (usually  200  or  more  feet),  the  flexibility  gained, 
and  the  few  repairs  required  by  the  air-lift  system  are  probably  the 
factors  that  have  caused  this  method  to  be  so  widely  used.  Some  of  the 
wells  are  equipped  with  double-acting  deep-well  pumps  and  two  or  three 
multiple-stage  turbine  pumps  are  also  in  use. 

Accurate  pumping  costs  were  difficult  to  obtain,  so  very  rarely  have 
they  been  determined.  The  largest  consumers  in  the  Stock  Yards  dis- 
trict, who  have  a  number  of  wells  pumped  at  high  pressure,  appear  to 
obtain  the  water  at  the  lowest  cost.  Some  data  regarding  pumping  costs 
are  to  be  found  in  the  chapter  entitled  "Wells". 

STATIC  HEAD 

A  large  number  of  measurements  of  the  water  level  in  deep  wells 
were  made  during  the  summer  of  1914  by  the  writer  and  his  assistant,  Mr. 
Weiland.  Other  measurements  have  been  made  since  that  time  to  note 
accurately  the  lowering  that  has  taken  place.  The  methods  of  determin- 
ing water  level  have  been  outlined  in  Part  I  under  the  discussion  of 
"Static  Head." 

Galena-Platteville  formation. — When  the  first  deep  well  in  Chicago 
was  drilled  in  1864,  the  water  rose  to  a  height  of  80  feet  above  the  surface 
or  to  an  elevation  of  695  feet  above  sea  level.  This  well  was  711  feet 
deep  and  probably  obtained  water  from  the  lower  part  of  the  Galena- 
Platteville  limestone.  The  static  head  has  receded  since  that  time  until 
it  is  now  many  feet  below  the  surface. 

St.  Peter  sandstone. — The  water  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  has 
been  practically  exhausted  in  the  city  and  it  was  therefore  not  possible  to 
determine  its  exact  head.  The  well  drillers  report  neither  a  dropping  off 
nor  a  rise  of  the  ground-water  level  in  the  well,  when  passing  through  this 
sandstone.  This  generalization  regarding  the  St.  Peter  does  not  hold  for 
the  Stock  Yards  district.  In  drilling  a  recent  well  in  this  area,  the  surface 
water  was  carefully  cased  off  to  a  depth  of  500  feet  and  very  little  water 
was  encountered  until  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  was  reached.  The  water 
then  rose  to  the  general  level  of  the  "Potsdam"  water  in  the  Stock  Yards 
district.  This  is  apparently  not  the  natural  static  head  of  the  water  from 
the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  because,  as  previously  mentioned,  in  drilling  deep 
wells  in  other  parts  of  the  city  very  little  difference  is  noted  between  the 
ground-water  level  and  that  of  the  St.  Peter  water.  The  surface  ground- 
water  holds  the  water  level  during  drilling  at  about  50  feet,  until  a  depth 
of  from  1,200  to  1,400  feet  is  reached,  when  the  level  drops  to  a  depth 
varying  between  150  and  235  feet,  depending  upon  the  part  of  the  city  in 
which  the  well  is  located.  These  latter  figures  indicate  the  head  of  the 
"Potsdam"  water. 


94 


(ETESIAN    WATERS     OF     NORTHEASTERN     ILLINOIS 


N  U)  P)  5 

n  *  *  * 

3AOBV    J.33J    Nl    NOIXVA313 


95 

•able  watei\ 
Chicago  this 
nt  obtained 
>mpany  was 
after  pass- 
surface  or 
:h  had  been 
ippears  that 
be  St.  Peter 
iam"  group, 
:ained  in  the 
some  water 
mdstone  be- 
likely  to  be 
3  have  been 

ian  water  of 
*roup  struck 
on  Plate  IV. 
The  area  of 
mer  of  1914 
I  212  or  214 
for  the  dis- 
t  wells  were 
vas  probably 
914.  A  few 
0  feet  during 

was  at  Park 
3  summer  of 
i  of  565  feet 
her  than  that 
he  south  part 
than  that  at 

any  one  well 
e  water  level, 

the  measure- 
truct  a  curve 
hey  flowed  in 
>ince  1907,  no 
wells  of  large 


94 


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§~ 

> 

COOK    COUNTY  95 

The  St.  Peter  sandstone  at  one  time  contained  considerable  water, 
but  tests  made  within  the  past  few  years  indicate  that  in  Chicago  this 
source  of  supply  has  been  practically  exhausted.  The  amount  obtained 
from  this  stratum  in  a  test  made  by  the  Western  Electric  Company  was 
less  than  20  gallons  per  minute.  The  water  level  in  the  well,  after  pass- 
ing through  the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  was  68  feet  below  the  surface  or 
essentially  the  same  as  that  of  the  ground-water  table  which  had  been 
nearly  constant  since  drilling  had  commenced.  Therefore,  it  appears  that 
in  the  recently  drilled  well  in  the  Stock  Yards,  the  head  of  the  St.  Peter 
water  which  was  practically  the  same  as  that  from  the  "Potsdam"  group, 
does  not  represent  the  actual  head  of  the  water  originally  contained  in  the 
St.  Peter  sandstone.  It  is,  on  the  other  hand,  probable  that  some  water 
from  the  "Potsdam"  group  rises  and  enters  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  be- 
cause of  lack  of  casing  in  neighboring  wells.  This  is  very  likely  to  be 
the  case  in  the  Stock  Yards  district  where  so  many  wells  have  been 
drilled  within  such  a  small  area. 

"Potsdam"  group. — The  present  static  head  of  the  artesian  water  of 
Chicago  is  that  from  the  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group  struck 
at  about  1,400  feet.  This  is  the  water  table  that  is  contoured  on  Plate  IV. 
The  water  table  shows  areas  of  elevation  and  depression.  The  area  of 
greatest  depression  is  in  the  Stock  Yards,  where  in  the  summer  of  1914 
the  pumping  level  was  about  232  feet  below  the  surface  and  212  or  214 
feet  at  rest.  These  latter  figures  showing  the  highest  head  for  the  dis- 
trict were  obtained  on  a  Sunday  when  some  of  the  largest  wells  were 
idle.  This  measurement  of  212  feet  below  the  surface  was  probably 
the  highest  head  in  the  Stock  Yards  during  the  summer  of  1914.  A  few 
measurements  in  October,  1915,  showed  a  level  of  about  240  feet  during 
pumping  and  225  feet  at  rest. 

The  highest  head  noted  in  the  vicinity  of  Chicago  was  at  Park 
Ridge,  northwest  of  the  city.  The  static  head  during  the  summer  of 
j  914  was  here  95  feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an  elevation  of  565  feet 
.above  sea  level.  This  level  was  approximately  190  feet  higher  than  that 
for  the  Stock  Yards,  about  15  miles  to  the  southeast.  In  the  south  part 
of  Chicago,  at  Riverdale,  the  head  is  about  90  feet  higher  than  that  at 
the  Stock  Yards  about  12  miles  to  the  northwest. 

Data  that  showed  the  lowering  of  the  water  level  in  any  one  well 
over  an  extended  period  of  years  were  not  obtainable.  The  water  level, 
however,  is  so  uniform  in  the  Stock  Yards  district  that  the  measure- 
ments from  a  number  of  wells  have  been  used  to  construct  a  curve 
(figure  3)  showing  the  lowering  of  the  static  head  since  they  flowed  in 
1889.  The  greatest  lowering  is  seen  to  have  taken  place  since  1907,  no 
doubt  to  be  accounted  for  by  the  considerable  number  of  wells  of  large 
capacity  drilled  in  following  years. 


96  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

CHEMICAL  CHARACTER  OF  CHICAGO  WATERS 
NIAGARAN    FORMATION 

The  shallow  rock  wells  are  cased  only  to  bed  rock,  so  as  to  shut 
off  the  surface  sand  and  gravel;  therefore  this  casing  generally  extends 
less  than  100  feet  below  the  surface.  The  water  is  found  in  the  crevices 
of  the  limestone,  into  which  it  has  seeped  down  slowly  as  surface  water 
from  the  overlying  drift.  Generally  a  long  period  of  time  has  elapsed 
since  the  water  left  the  surface  before  it  is  pumped  from  the  wells.  It 
may  have  percolated  through  beds  of  sand  and  gravel  or  flowed  through 
the  limestone  crevices.  The  water  during  this  period  has  been  in  con- 
tact with  more  or  less  soluble  rocks,  and  it  therefore  contains  some 
dissolved  mineral  matter.  Most  of  these  dissolved  solids  are  bicarbonates 
of  calcium  and  magnesium,  the  soluble  forms  of  limestone,  but  other 
salts,  such  as  the  sulphated  magnesium  and  the  chloride,  sulphate  and 
carbonate  of  sodium  are  also  present  in  small  amounts.  Samples  of 
water  from  the  typical  shallow  wells  of  Chicago  were  analyzed  by  the 
State  Water  Survey.  The  average  analysis  calculated  from  31  samples 
is  shown  in  Table  7. 

Table  7. — Average  analysis  of  waters  from  31  shallow  wells  in  Chicago 

(Hypothetical  combinations) 

Parts  per  Grains  per 

Compound  million  U.S.  gallon 

Sodium  nitrate   (NaN03) 1-82  .11 

Sodium   chloride    (NaCl) 39.77  2.32 

Sodium  sulphate   (Na2S04) 20.92  1.22 

Sodium  carbonate    (Na^C03) 97.10  5.66 

Magnesium  carbonate    (MgC03) 39.57  2.31 

Calcium  carbonate   (CaC03) 38.58  2.25 

Iron  carbonate    (PeC03) 2.84  .16 

Undetermined    17.63  1.03 

Total    258.23  15.06 

It  is  believed  that  the  calculated  analysis  of  the  31  analyses  repre- 
sents the  average  water  obtained  from  the  Niagaran  limestone  in 
Chicago.  This  water,  although  it  contains  nearly  twice  the  amount  of 
dissolved  mineral  matter  found  in  Lake  Michigan  water,  is  nevertheless 
considered  a  soft  water.  The  amount  of  scale-forming  solids  is  small. 
The  water  is  used  for  boiler  purposes  in  a  number  of  factories  and 
scarcely  any  trouble  has  been  reported;  the  scale  is  comparatively  soft 
and  easily   removed. 

Altogether  36  samples  of  shallow-well  waters  were  collected,  but  as 
5  of  these  waters  are  somewhat  different  from  the  others,  they  are  not 


COOK    COUNTY  97 

included  in  the  average  analysis.  These  5  waters  contained  some  mag- 
nesium sulphate  which  was  not  found  in  the  other  31  analyses.  This 
magnesium  sulphate  was  a  negligible  amount,  less  than  a  grain  per  gal- 
lon, except  in  two  cases.  The  two  shallow  wells  that  contained  a 
considerable  amount  of  this  scale-forming  magnesium  salt  belong  to 
Hoerbers  Brewery  and  to  Miller  and  Hart.  In  both  cases  the  exact 
depth  of  the  well  was  not  known,  and  there  is  a  possibility  that  they  are 
deeper  than  the  indicated  approximate  depths.  If  such  is  the  case,  it 
explains  why  the  water  is  harder  than  that  from  the  usual  shallow  well, 
as  the  water  from  the  lower  horizons  contains  more  magnesium  sulphate. 

GALENA-PLATTEVIIXE    FORMATION 

It  is  difficult  to  say  anything  definite  concerning  the  water  from  the 
Galena-Platteville  limestone,  as  few  wells  end  in  this  formation.  The 
wells  either  do  not  reach  the  base  of  the  Niagaran  limestone  or  else  they 
continue  to  1,200  feet  or  more.  The  water  is  present  in  crevices  and 
doubtless  the  quantity  is  less  than  that  in  the  Niagaran.  As  the  forma- 
tions are  both  limestones,  the  characters  of  the  water  are  probibly  similar 
although  that  from  the  Niagaran  is  likely  to  contain  a  greater  amount 
of  hydrogen  sulphide. 

ST.   PETEE  SANDSTONE 

Very  little  can  be  said  concerning  the  mineral  character  of  the  St. 
Peter  sandstone  water.  Only  one  or  two  wells  in  Chicago  end  in  this 
formation  and  these  well  waters  show  practically  no  difference  from 
that  obtained  from  the  Niagaran  limestone,  except  for  a  slight  increase 
in  mineral  content.  The  wells  are  of  small  bore,  have  only  surface-pipe 
casing,  and  are  equipped  with  low-capacity  pumping  equipment  so  that 
the  greater  part  of  the  water  may  be  from  the  Niagaran  limestone.  The 
only  well  in  Chicago  thought  to  end  in  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  and 
pumping  an  appreciable  amount  of  water  was  the  one  located  at  the 
Gutman  Tanneries.  This  well  is  supposed  to  be  990  feet  in  depth,  but 
as  it  is  very  old  there  is  some  doubt  concerning  this  measurement.  The 
water  obtained  is  very  similar  to  that  obtained  from  wells  1,400  or  more 
feet  in  depth.  As  there  are  a  number  of  wells  of  this  depth  in  the 
immediate  vicinity,  there  is  a  possibility  of  water  from  these  wells  enter- 
ing the  Gutman  well  either  by  crevices  in  the  limestone  or  through  the 
St.  Peter  sandstone.  None  of  the  wells  has  casing  other  than  the  sur- 
face pipe  and  that  for  caving  formations. 

It  was  thought  that  water  could  be  obtained  from  the  different 
strata  while  a  well  was  being  drilled  by  collecting  water  from  the  bottom 
of  the  bailer.    This  was  done  at  the  American  Malting  Company  and  the 


98  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

analyses  are  given  in  the  appendix.  The  results  were  not  a  success  as  the 
.analyses  indicate  Niagaran  limestone  or  surface  water  in  all  cases.  The 
well  was  cased  with  surface  pipe  only  so  that  Niagaran  limestone  water 
must  have  been  continually  running  into  the  well.  Further,  the  bailer 
was  open  at  the  top,  which  evidently  permitted  upper  strata  water  to 
enter.  In  order  to  obtain  an  accurate  sample  of  the  water  from  any 
horizon,  the  casing  should  be  carried  completely  down  to  the  water- 
bearing formation.  Even  with  this  precaution,  it  is  best  to  have  the 
well  pumped  for  some  time  before  the  sample  is  collected.  If  more 
than  one  water-bearing  stratum  is  penetrated,  and  a  sample  from  a  par- 
ticular one  is  desired  it  is  of  course  necessary  to  case  off  the  others. 

PRAIRIE  DU   CHIEN   GROUP 

The  next  water  horizon  of  any  importance  below  the  St.  Peter 
sandstone  is  in  the  basal  part  of  the  "Lower  Magnesian"  or  Prairie  du 
Chien  limestone  group.  This  horizon,  struck  at  from  1,200  to  1,300  feet, 
is  characterized  by  a  distinctly  sandy  and  somewhat  shaly  phase.  Grains 
of  glauconite  are  present  and  in  some  cases  give  a  green  color  to  the 
drillings.  Distinct  water  channels,  which  may  be  only  sandstone  beds, 
are  present ;  this  horizon  is  called  "the  Crevices"  by  the  well  drillers 
because  a  large  part  of  the  well  drillings  tend  to  flow  away,  suggesting 
the  existence  of  some  openings. 

The  water  obtained  from  the  wells  which  stop  at  about  this  horizon 
is  not  essentially  different  from  that  in  wells  1,600  to  1,700  feet  in 
depth.  These  deeper  wells  draw  their  main  supply  from  the  first  sand- 
stone of  the  "Potsdam"  group  which  lies  immediately  below  the  sandy, 
glauconiferous  stratum  of  the  base  of  the  "Lower  Magnesian"  lime- 
stone. This  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group,  which  is  about  200 
feet  in  thickness,  is  the  chief  water-bearing  formation  underlying  Chi- 
cago and  the  surrounding  territory.  It  is  very  probable  that  the  escape 
of  water  upward  from  this  horizon  into  the  overlying  sandy  and  glau- 
coniferous stratum  accounts  for  the  presence  and  similarity  of  the  water. 

"potsdam"  group 

Upper  Sandstone  Member. — The  character  of  the  water  from  the 
'"Potsdam"  sandstone  is  shown  by  over  125  appended  analyses.  Most 
of  the  analyses  have  been  made  by  the  rapid  method  of  boiler-water 
analysis  used  in  the  laboratory  of  the  State  Water  Survey,  although  a 
few  of  the  more  complete  mineral  analyses  of  representative  waters 
have  also  been  made.  The  determinations  made  are  given  in  all  cases  as 
well  as  the  calculated  hypothetical  combinations  of  ions. 

In  order  to  determine  the  average  composition  of  the  water  from 
I  he   (nst  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group,  the  average  analysis  was 


COOK    COUNTY  99 

calculated  of  the  waters  from  57  wells  pumping  over  75  gallons  per 
minute  and  ranging  in  depth  from  1,200  to  1,750  feet.  The  pumping 
restrictions  were  applied  because  it  was  found  that  wells  which  delivered 
less  than  75  gallons  per  minute  were  influenced  by  waters  from  the 
uncased  upper  strata. 

"POTSDAM"    GROUP 

Table  8. — Mean  analysis  of  the  waters  from  57  representative  wells  in  Chicago 

pumping  over  7 J  gallons  per  minute  and  ranging  in  depth  from  1,200  to 
1,750  feet. 

Parts  per  Grains  per 

Dissolved  solids                                      million  U.  S.  gallon 

Sodium  nitrate    (NaN03) .              2.09  .12 

Sodium  chloride    (NaCl) 334.84  19.52 

Sodium    sulphate    (Nel-SOO 265.72  15.49 

Magnesium    sulphate    (MgSOJ 184.26  10.74 

Calcium  sulphate    (CaSOJ 226.86  13.22 

Calcium  carbonate    (CaC03) 212.30  12.55 

Iron   carbonate    (FeC03) 1.14  .06 

Undetermined 51.05  2.98 

Total 1,278.26  74.68 

A  list  is  also  added  showing  the  number  of  wells  of  the  different 
depths  that  comprise  the  above  group  of  57. 

Number  of  wells  of  the  different  depths 

Depth 

Feet  Number 

1200—1300 5 

1301—1400  5 

1401—1500  4 

1501—1600 15 

1601—1700 25 

1701—1750 3 

Total    57 

It  is  seen  that  40  out  of  the  57,  or  70.2  per  cent,  range  in  depth  from 
1,501  to  1,700  feet.  This  also  represents  the  depth  of  the  average  deep 
well  in  Chicago.  A  number  of  these  wells  extend  below  the  first 
"Potsdam"  sandstone,  in  some  cases  for  150  feet,  but  the  underlying 
formation  is  a  shale  for  the  most  part  and  contains  scarcely  any  water. 

The  average  of  the  57  analyses  indicates  that  the  water  contains  a 
considerable  amount  of  mineral  matter.  It  might  be  called  a  sulphate 
water,  although  considerable  sodium  chloride  and  calcium  carbonate  are 
also  present.  The  detrimental  constituents  from  the  point  of  view  of 
boiler  usage  are  the  sulphates  of  magnesium  and  calcium,  present  in  large 


100  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

amounts.  These  salts,  in  the  quantities  indicated,  produce  a  hard,  heavy 
scale  when  the  water  is  used  in  boilers.  The  water  could  be  softened,  but 
it  is  not  done  in  Chicago  because  of  the  accessibility  of  the  soft  lake 
water.  There  is  a  possibility  that  the  water  from  the  first  "Potsdam" 
sandstone  has  a  lower  mineral  content  than  that  indicated  by  the  average 
of  the  57  analyses.  This  would  be  due  to  the  lack  of  casing  in  the  wells 
and  the  consequent  addition  of  water  from  the  Prairie  du  Chien  lime- 
stone. However,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  some  wells  in  the  Stock  Yards 
which  do  not  extend  below  the  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  series 
deliver  over  1,000  gallons  per  minute,  it  would  seem  that  the  greater 
amount  of  the  water  is  from  this  sandstone. 

The  water  has  a  pleasant  taste  and  is  used  for  drinking  purposes  in 
many  manufacturing  plants.  The  water  is  used  in  those  industries  which 
require  a  large  amount  of  water  and  where  the  mineral  content  is  not  a 
factor.  For  example  it  is  used  extensively  for  cooling  and  washing  pur- 
poses. The  temperature  of  the  water,  about  59°  F.,  and  the  absence  of 
variation  with  the  seasons,  is  in  many  cases  an  advantage.  The  iron  con- 
tent, although  not  high,  is  nevertheless  in  some  instances  sufficient  to 
discolor  wash  basins  and  other  porcelain  ware.  Some  of  the  largest  users 
of  the  deep  well  water  are  the  packing  houses,  breweries,  malting  houses, 
vinegar  manufacturers,  steel  mills,  and  cold  storage  companies. 

Middle  sandstone  member. — The  middle  sandstone  member  of  the 
"Potsdam"  group  is  struck  in  Chicago  at  about  1,600  feet  and  is  from  300 
to  350  feet  thick.  This  formation  is  composed  of  siliceous  and  dolomitic 
shales  intercalated  with  beds  of  shaly  dolomite  and  dolomitic  sandstone, 
a  few  feet  thick,  and  of  such  a  character  that  it  could  not  be  a  water- 
bearing formation  of  any  importance.  Data  regarding  the  character  of 
the  water  from  this  stratum  were  obtained  in  drilling  the  Sears,  Roebuck 
&  Company  well  in  1912.  This  well  was  originally  drilled  to  a  depth  of 
2,057  feet,  but  salt  water  was  struck  and  the  lower  189  feet  was  later 
filled  in  with  concrete,  leaving  a  depth  of  1,868  feet. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Mory,  chemical  director  of  this  com- 
pany, analyses  are  here  given  of  the  waters  from  the  lower  depths. 
Samples  were  obtained  by  collecting  the  water  from  the  boiler.  The  log 
of  the  well  indicates  a  26-foot  bed  of  sandstone  at  1,822  feet  and  tests 
showed  that  the  water  from  that  horizon  contained  very  little,  if  any, 
permanent  hardness.  The  analyses  suggest  a  similar  water  to  a  depth 
of  1,960  feet.  The  waters  below  this  horizon  and  to  the  final  depth  of 
2.057  feet,  show  a  rapid  increase  in  the  mineral  content,  particularly  in 
sodium  chloride,  or  common  salt.  The  well  was  first  drilled  to  a  depth  of 
1,960  feet  and  cased  with  1,788  feet  of  8-inch  discharge  pipe.  The  bot- 
tom of  the  casing  was  sealed  with  2  feet  of  concrete.     The  well  as  thus 


COOK    COUNTY  101 

equipped  obtained  water  from  192  feet  of  strata,  comprising  the  base  of 
the  shaly  second  division  of  the  "Potsdam"  group  as  well  as  some  90  feet 
of  the  upper  sandstone  of  the  third  division.  An  analysis  of  the  water 
from  this  horizon,  made  by  the  State  Water  Survey,  is  given.  The  total 
mineral  content  is  1,770.3  parts  per  million,  by  far  the  larger  part  of 
which  is  made  up  of  the  chloride  and  sulphate  salts  of  sodium.  It  will 
be  noticed  that  the  scale-forming  magnesium  sulphate  is  present  in  a 
small  amount,  57.6  parts  per  million,  or  3.36  grains  per  gallon.  There 
is,  however,  a  considerable  calcium  carbonate  content.  The  amount  of 
water  obtained  with  this  piping  arrangement  was  small,  about  75  gallons 
per  minute,  and  in  order  to  increase  the  flow,  the  casing  was  cut  off  at  a 
depth  of  1,547  feet  and  694  feet  of  pipe  removed,  leaving  a  length  of  853 
feet  extending  down  from  the  surface.  This  discharge  pipe  was  firmly 
sealed  at  the  base  with  a  rubber  packer.  The  removal  of  this  length  of 
casing  permitted  the  entrance  of  waters  from  the  first  sandstone  of  the 
"Potsdam"  group  and  any  other  higher  water-bearing  horizons  below  853 
feet  and  the  flow  was  increased  to  over  500  gallons  per  minute.  The  well 
was  also  filled  in  with  concrete  to  a  depth  of  1,868  feet.  The  analysis  of 
the  water  was  obtained  with  this  new  pumping  equipment  is  given.  On 
comparison  with  the  water  delivered  when  the  casing  extended  to  1,788 
feet,  it  is  seen  that  the  water  obtained  with  the  shorter  casing  is  much 
harder.  There  is  a  considerable  increase  in  the  sulphates  of  magnesium 
and  calcium  and  no  sodium  sulphate,  although  it  is  possible  that  another 
analysis  might  show  a  small  amount  of  this  latter  salt. 

These  data  seem  to  indicate  that  a  small  amount  of  water  can  be 
obtained  from  the  second  division  of  the  "Potsdam"  group  which  is 
softer  than  that  from  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone.  The  mineral  content 
of  this  softer  water  is  as  great  as  that  from  the  higher  horizons,  but  the 
amount  of  hard  scale-forming  salts  is  less.  The  Sears,  Roebuck  &  Com- 
pany data  show,  however,  that  to  obtain  this  water  it  is  necessary  to  case 
to  below  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone,  which  is  at  least  1,600  feet,  and 
that  only  a  small  amount  of  water  can  be  expected.  In  this  instance  the 
discharge  pipe  was  8  inches  in  diameter  with  a  6-inch  hole  below  and  only 
about  75  gallons  per  minute  were  obtained.  The  lowering  in  water  level 
when  this  amount  was  being  pumped  is  not  known,  but  it  was  undoubt- 
edly great.  After  the  removal  of  the  694-foot  length  of  pipe,  over  500 
gallons  per  minute  were  obtained  with  the  same  pumping  equipment ;  the 
lowering  in  the  water  level  while  operating  was  probably  20  or  25  feet. 

Lower  sandstone  member. — The  lower  division  of  the  "Potsdam" 
group  is  a  succession  of  sandstones  the  downward  extension  of  which  is 
not  known,  although  they  have  been  penetrated  in  this  vicinity  to  a  depth 
of  at  least  2,300  feet.     They  are  generally  struck  in  Chicago  at  a  depth 


102  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

of  about  1,900  feet ;  in  the  Sears,  Roebuck  &  Company  well  they  are  en- 
countered at  1,868  feet.  An  increase  in  the  salinity  or  total  mineral  con- 
tent accompanies  the  increase  in  depth;  this  is  shown  in  the  analyses  of 
the  water  from  the  lower  strata  in  the  Sears,  Roebuck  &  Company  well. 
A  number  of  wells  in  the  Stock  Yards  district,  2,000  or  more  feet  in 
depth,  deliver  a  water  of  high  salinity,  a  high  chlorine  and  sodium  content 
being  particularly  characteristic.  The  greatest  salinity  of  any  well  water 
in  Chicago  is  possessed  by  that  from  the  Oleomargarine  House  well  of 
Morris  &  Company;  the  depth  is  approximately  2,300  feet.  The  mineral 
analysis  of  this  water  is  given  in  the  appendix.  The  salinity  is  5,350 
parts  per  million  of  which  2,900  are  chlorine  and  1,232  sodium.  The 
hypothetical  combinations  show  a  very  large  amount  of  sodium  chloride 
and  the  chlorides  of  calcium,  magnesium,  and  potassium.  The  carbonate 
and  sulphate  salts  of  calcium  are  also  conspicuous.  The  salt  content  of 
this  water  is  so  high  that  it  has  a  brackish  taste  and  is  impossible  for 
drinking  purposes. 

The  water  from  the  2,164-foot  well  at  the  Independent  Brewery  is 
interesting  because  of  the  high  content  of  sodium  sulphate.  The  total 
mineral  content  is  similar  to  that  of  the  water  from  other  wells  of 
approximately  this  depth,  but  these  wells  usually  have  a  much  greater 
amount  of  chlorine. 

Local  Supplies 

vicinity  of  chicago 

BLUE    ISLAND 

A  few  deep  wells  have  been  drilled  in  Blue  Island,  and  the  water 
obtained  is  essentially  similar  to  that  from  wells  of  corresponding  depths 
in  Chicago.    Analyses  of  water  from  representative  deep  wells  are  given. 

The  succession  of  strata  does  not  vary  noticeably  from  that  in  Chi- 
cago, so  that  the  main  -water-bearing  formation  is  penetrated  at  about 
1,450  feet.  This  is  the  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group,  approxi- 
mately 200  feet  thick.  Therefore  the  average  well  is  about  1,650  feet 
in  depth,  although  the  gas  plant  of  the  Public  Service  Company  of 
Northern  Illinois  has  a  well  of  2,100 ±  feet  in  depth.  This  well  was 
drilled  in  1912  and  is  reported  to  have  overflowed  when  a  depth  of 
1,940  feet  was  reached.  There  is  no  log  of  this  well,  but  it  is  probable 
that  at  about  this  depth  the  lower  sandstones  of  the  "Potsdam"  group 
were  struck  ;  the  water  from  these  lower  strata  has  a  somewhat  greater 
head  than  that  from  the  higher  beds.  However,  the  curb  elevation  of 
this  well  is  from  40  to  50  feet  lower  than  that  of  other  wells  in  the 
vicinity,  as,  for  instance,  those  at  the  Blue  Island  Water  Works  ;  this 
accounts  in  part   for  the  apparently  greater  head.     The   present  water 


COOK    COUNTY  10  & 

level  in  the  gas  plant  well  is  not  known,  but  there  has  been  a  consider- 
able lowering  since  the  well  was  drilled  as  a  deep  well  pump  has  been 
in  use  for  at  least  three  years.  The  analysis  of  this  water  shows  a 
higher  mineral  content  than  that  of  waters  from  shallower  wells.  The 
water  has  also  a  strong  gaseous  odor  but  as  there  is  only  a  small  amount 
of  casing,  this  is  probably  due  to  the  leakage  from  surface  waters  which 
have  been  affected  by  wastes  from  the  gas  house. 

The  municipal  water  supply  of  Blue  Island  had  been  obtained  until 
August  1915,  from  3  wells  ranging  in  depth  from  1,100  ±  to  1,649  feet. 
At  the  above  time  arrangements  were  made  to  buy  lake  water  from 
Chicago  and  the  deep  well  pumpage  was  discontinued.  The  reasons  for 
the  change  were  the  desire  to  obtain  a  softer  water,  the  development 
of  a  gaseous  odor  in  one  of  the  wells,  and  the  rapid  lowering  of  the 
static  head. 

The  gaseous  odor  in  the  well  water,  noticed  in  the  early  part  of 
1914,  is  probably  related  to  the  gas  works  about  1,000  feet  to  the  south- 
west and  at  a  lower  elevation.  It  may  be  that  because  of  lack  of  casing, 
surface  water  enters  the  deep  well  at  the  gas  plant  and  finally  by  under- 
ground connections  reaches  the  deep  wells  at  the  city  water  works. 
Other  instances  of  a  similar  nature  have  been  noted;  at  Joliet  a  new  well 
situated  near  an  abandoned  gas  plant  developed  an  odor  which  could 
not  be  removed  even  by  pumping  to  waste  nearly  a  million  gallons  per 
day  for  a  year.  A  350-foot  well  in  Chicago  developed  a  very  noticeable 
gas  odor  when  a  gas  plant  was  built  about  800  feet  away.  The  well 
had  been  in  use  14  years  and  no  gas  had  been  noted,  but  a  year  after 
the  gas  plant  began  operation  the  gaseous  odor  became  very  noticeable. 

The  oldest  records  regarding  the  water  levels  at  the  Blue  Island 
wells  are  from  1910.  In  March  of  that  year  the  static  head  of  the  water 
in  the  1,649-foot  well  was  172  feet  below  the  surface  at  rest  or  at  an 
elevation  of  469  feet  above  sea  level ;  pumping  at  the  rate  of  380  gallons 
per  minute  for  24  hours  lowered  the  water  33  feet.  Measurements 
made  on  this  well  June  11,  1914,  indicated  a  working  level  of  251.5 
feet  during  pumping  at  the  rate  of  about  300  gallons  per  minute;  the 
other  2  wells  were  each  pumping  about  200  gallons  per  minute.  The  3 
wells  are  situated  at  the  corners  of  a  triangle,  the  sides  of  which  are 
approximately  125  feet  in  length.  After  being  shut  down  for  2.5  hours 
the  water  level  in  the  one  well  rose  11  feet;  the  other  wells  were  still  in 
operation.  In  1914  the  water  level  was  reported  to  be  about  230  feet 
when  all  the  wells  were  shut  down :  this  would  indicate  a  lowering  of 
58  feet  in  4  years. 


104  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

HARVEY 

The  city  of  Harvey,  which  is  a  little  over  3  miles  south  and  east 
of  Blue  Island,  obtains  its  water  from  four  deep  wells.  The  average 
depth  is  1,600  feet. 

The  succession  of  strata  and  their  depths  are  similar  to  those  in 
the  south  part  of  Chicago.  The  main  water-bearing  formation  is  pene- 
trated at  1,400  to  1,450  feet  and  is  approximately  200  feet  in  thickness. 

The  analyses  in  the  appendix  indicate  that  the  water  is  hard  and 
contains  a  rather  high  mineral  content;  it  is  similar  to  that  from  wells 
in  Chicago  and  Blue  Island  of  corresponding  depths.  The  low  mineral 
content  of  the  No.  1  well  water  is  very  probably  due  to  dilution  by 
water  from  the  Niagaran  limestone,  as  the  casing  is  in  poor  condition, 
and  only  a  small  amount  of  water  is  pumped.  It  is  reported  that  the 
first  well  was  drilled  to  a  depth  of  2,100  or  2,200  feet,  but  salt  water 
was  encountered,  and  the  well  was  later  plugged  at  about  1,600  feet. 
This  indicates  that  a  well  of  1,600  to  1,650  feet  gives  the  best  results, 
as  the  shales  and  dolomites  immediately  underlying  this  depth  contain 
practically  no  water,  and  the  sandstone  at  around  1,900  and  2,000  feet 
yields  a  salt  water  or  at  least  one  of  a  high  mineral  content. 

The  static  level  at  Harvey,  in  common  with  that  of  Chicago  and 
nearby  cities,  has  lowered  considerably  during  the  past  few  years.  The 
figures  below  indicate  the  lowering  in  No.  4  well  since  1911  ;  the  depth 
is  l,600±feet.     Surface  elevation  is  600±  feet. 

Water  levels  in  well  No.  k,  Harvey 

Date  April,  '11  Sept.,  '12  March,  '13  March,  '14  June,  '14  June,  '15 

Feet  below  surface  105  116  120  130  135  155 

The  present  water  level  is  much  higher  than  at  Blue  Island,  although 
it  is  to  be  expected  that  the  static  head  at  Harvey  should  be  40  ±  feet 
above  the  former  because  of  difference  in  surface  elevations.  This, 
however,  does  not  account  for  all  of  the  difference;  it  may  be  that  the 
lower  level  at  Blue  Island  is  due  to  heavy  pumpage  and  proximity  of 
other  wells.  The  level  at  Harvey  in  1915  was  only  17  ±  feet  below  that 
at  Riverdale,  %V2  miles  to  the  north  and  east.  This  is  a  good  com- 
parison. 

RIVERDALE 

The  village  of  Riverdale  obtains  a  part  of  its  municipal  supply  from 
a  Niagaran-limestone  well  of  434  feet  in  depth.  The  water  in  1910  was 
15  feet  from  the  surface,  but  had  lowered  to  46  feet  in  1914.  The  yield 
is  about  L25  gallons  per  minute,  but  pumping  at  the  rate  of  140  gallons 
per  minute  for  12  hours  lowers  the  level  to  200  feet  below  the  surface. 


COOK    COUNTY  105 

Evidently  a  fissure  containing  a  good  flow  was  struck  in  drilling  this 
well,  as  other  wells  in  this  vicinity  of  the  same  depth  yield  very  little 
water.  However,  wells  of  1,650  feet  in  depth  will  produce  a  good  sup- 
ply. The  static  head  of  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone  water  was  143 
feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an  elevation  of  452  ±  feet.  This  measure- 
ment was  obtained  in  October,  1915,  at  the  1,720-foot  well  of  the  Pope 
Sugar  Beet  Factory. 

SOUTHEASTERN    COOK   COUNTY 
GENERAL    STATEMENT 

No  good  records  have  been  obtained  from  southeastern  Cook  County 
south  of  Chicago  city  limits  and  east  of  Harvey.  A  set  of  drillings,  how- 
ever, has  been  studied  from  the  1,840-foot  well  of  the  Grasselli  Chemical 
Company  at  East  Chicago,  approximately  4  miles  east  of  the  state  line 
at  Hammond.  The  first  "Pottsdam"  sandstone  was  penetrated  here  at 
a  depth  of  1,636  feet.  This  indicates  that  the  strata  have  an  eastward 
dip  of  about  18  feet  per  mile.  Therefore  in  order  to  pass  through  the 
first  "Potsdam"  sandstone,  the  wells  in  this  part  of  the  county  should 
be  about  1,750  feet  in  depth.  The  static  head  in  the  Grasselli  well  was 
reported  as  92  feet  below  the  surface  or  an  elevation  of  495 ±  feet;  this 
is  high  when  compared  with  those  to  the  west.  No  analysis  of  the 
water  was  obtained,  but  it  probably  has  a  mineral  content  as  high  as,  or 
even  higher  than  that  at  Harvey. 

The  region  south  of  a  line  through  Palos,  Homewood,  and  Glen- 
wood  has  a  greater  relief  and  a  heavier  mantle  of  drift  than  the  Chicago 
plain  to  the  north.  Therefore  in  prospecting  for  a  water  supply  in  locali- 
ties underlain  by  the  heavy  deposit  of  sand  and  gravel,  it  should  be 
determined  whether  a  sufficient  yield  could  be  obtained  from  depths  of 
a  few  hundred  feet  before  drilling  deeper. 


106 


ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Log  of  well  owned  by  Graselli  Chemical  Co.,  East  Chicago,  Ind.,  in  the  8E.  1/Jf 

sec.  33,  T.  31  N.,  R.  9  W. 

Elevation — 587  feet 

Drilled  in  1915  by  the  Needham  Well  Co.,  Chicago. 

Generalized  section  a'  b 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent 

Sand  and  gravel;   no  samples. 40  40 

Devonian  system   (and  Mississippian?) 

Shale,     calcareous 32  72 

Shale,  very  dark  gray 29  101 

Shale,  calcareous  or  argillaceous  limestone 49  150 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran  limestone 

Dolomite,  gray  to  brownish  gray 490  640 

Ordovician  system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,    bluish    gray 135  775 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  light  brown 341  1116 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  colorless,  fine  to  medium  grained 64  1180 

Prairie  du  Chien  group  ("Lower  Magnesian"  limestone) 

Chert   and   sand 11  1191 

Dolomite,  light  gray  to  gray 314  1505 

Sandstone,   with  glauconite  grains 26  1531 

Dolomite,    sandy,    glauconiferous 105  1636 

Cambrian  system 
"Potsdam"  group 

Sandstone,  colorless,  fine  to  medium  grained 201  1837 

Dolomite,    sandy,    glauconiferous 3  1840 


a  The  detailed  log  of  this  well  compiled  from  study  of  samples  is  to  be  found 
in  the  Survey  files  if  desired  for  reference. 

b  Mr.  Ulrich  has  examined  this  log-  and  has  made  the  following  comments: 
"Fail  to  see  any  grounds  for  referring  all  beds  between  depths  40-150  feet  to  the 
Devonian".  He  suggests  that  the  sample  of  101-150  feet  may  be  Devonian,  but  that 
between  40-101  feet  probably  represents  Kinderhook.  Regarding  the  interval  be- 
tween 775-1116  feet  he  says  of  the  "Galena-Trenton  limestone",  as  this  interval 
bad  been  designated  in  the  log  sent  him:  "This  term  is  a  misnomer  whatever  this 
interval  may  represent.  It  is  certain  that  most  of  the  interval  is  of  the  age  of 
the  Black  River  stage.  The  typical  Galena  is  younger  and  in  my  opinion 
of  Trenton — probably  early  Trenton — age.  At  present,  however,  it  is  doubtful 
if  any  typical  Galena  occurs  in  eastern  Wisconsin  and  northeastern 
Illinois.  At  least  I  have  not  observed  Ordovician  dolomites  in  east 
Wisconsin  that  are  unquestionably  younger  than  Black  River.  As  a 
formation  name  the  term  Galena  dolomite  requires  redefinition.  It  should  be  con- 
fined to  beds  above  Chamberlin's  'Upper  Blue'  ".  Regarding  the  interval  between 
1180-1505  feet  which  is  designated  "Lower  Magnesian"  limestone,  Mr.  Ulrich  says: 
"For  Immediate  purposes  it  is  not  improper  to  call  these  beds  'Lower  Magnesian' 
limestone,   but  the   term   should  be  in   quotation   marks  and  followed  by    (Shakopee 


COOK    COUNTY  107 

and  Oneota  dolomites)  in  parenthesis,  as  here  written.  I  object  to  Prairie  du 
Chien,  and  shall  recommend  its  abandonment."  The  interval  between  1505  and  1531 
feet  seems  to  be  the  Madison  sandstone,  according-  to  Mr.  Ulrich,  and  1531-1636  feet 
most  probably  represents  the  Mendota  dolomite.  "Glauconite  is  not  common  in 
these  formations  in  Wisconsin.  Though  occasionally  present,  I  doubt  that  it  is 
either  here  or  there  an  original  deposit.  Like  much  of  the  quartz  sand,  so  also 
this  glauconite  was  washed  out  of  preceding  Cambrian  deposits  and  redeposited 
in  the  early  Ozarkian  formations."  About  the  interval  between  1636-1488  feet  he 
is  doubtful — "It  may  be  basal  Mendota." 

The  interval  between  1648-1837  feet  "is  probably  Jordan  sandstone,  with  a 
good  chance  that  the  upper  part  includes  reworked  sands  that  were  redeposited  in 
the  succeeding  Ozarkian  period".  And  finally  the  strata  between  1837-1840  feet  are 
"probably  a  dolomite  of  the  kind  often  found  in  the  upper  part  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence." 


CHICAGO     HEIGHTS 

The  city  supply  of  Chicago  Heights  is  furnished  by  4  wells  12 
inches  in  diameter  which  penetrate  the  Niagaran  limestone  to  a  depth 
of  about  300  feet.  These  wells  yield  3,500,000  gallons  per  24  hours, 
although  1,500  gallons  per  minute  can  be  obtained  from  a  single  well. 
The  appended  analyses  show  that  it  is  a  hard  water,  although  the  mineral 
content  is  lower  than  that  obtained  from  deep  wells. 

The  static  level  in  these  wells  has  also  dropped  during  the  past  20 
years,  as  seen  from  the  table  below ;  the  surface  elevation  is  656   feet. 

Water  Levels  at  Chicago  Heights. 

Feet  below 

Date  surface 

1894    4 

June,              1908    39 

November,    1908 43 

January,       1909 50 

September,  1909    52 

July,              1914 60 

This  represents  the  gradual  lowering  of  the  surface  water  table 
and  is  entirely  distinct  from  the  recession  of  the  artesian  static  head 
which  is  so  noticeable  in  Chicago.  The  city  of  Chicago  Heights  is  a 
manufacturing  town  and  a  large  number  of  factories  have  their  own 
wells.  It  is  the  combined  pumpage  in  the  city  that  has  lowered  the 
water  table.  The  figures  show  that  lowering  has  been  more  gradual  in 
the  past  5  years  than  in  the  previous  2  years,  indicating  that  at  the 
present  pumpage  only  a  slight  lowering  is  to  be  expected  in  the  future. 

The  collecting  area  of  this  water  is  the  heavy  belt  of  glacial  drift 
to  the  south  and  west,  the  Valparaiso  morainic  system.  This  morainic 
area  is  at  a  higher  elevation  than  Chicago  Heights  so  that  the  rainfall 
which  seeps  into  the  drift  and  finally  into  the  underlying  fissured  lime- 
stone, flows  by  hydrostatic  pressure  to  the  lower  points.  The  village 
of  South  Chicago  Heights  has  a  deep  well,  the  exact  depth  of  which  is 


108  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN  ILLINOIS 

not  known,  although  reported  to  be  2,500  feet.  However,  the  mineral 
content,  temperature,  and  static  head  indicate  that  the  water  is  obained 
from  the  drift  or  Niagaran  limestone.  A  well  a  few  hundred  feet  in 
depth  would  yield  the  same  quality  and  quantity  of  water. 

MATTESON 

Matteson  has  a  10-inch  well  which  is  282  feet  in  depth.  The  water 
is  obtained  from  the  Niagaran  limestone  and  is  similar  to  that  at  Chicago 
Heights.  The  water  level  is  14  feet  from  the  surface  and  recedes  8  feet 
in  pumping  at  the  rate  of  200  gallons  per  minute.  This  level  was  main- 
tained on  a  continuous  test  of  8  hours. 

SOUTHWESTERN   COOK   COUNTY 
GENERAL     STATEMENT 

The  southwestern  part  of  the  county  is  covered  by  a  heavy  mantle 
of  drift,  which  is  part  of  the  Valparaiso  morainic  system.  This  sand 
and  gravel  formation  is  a  good  collecting  reservoir  for  the  rainfall.  It 
is  therefore  possible  in  many  places  to  obtain  a  good  supply  of  water 
from  wells  a  few  hundred  feet  in  depth,  which  penetrate  the  Niagaran 
limestone.  In  case  a  supply  is  not  obtained  at  the  shallower  depths, 
drilling  could  be  continued  to  the  St.  Peter,  or  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone. 

The  St.  Peter  will  probably  be  reached  at  from  850  to  1,000  feet, 
depending  on  surface  elevation  and  dip  of  strata.  This  formation  was 
found  at  915  feet  at  Tinley  Park  and  reported  to  be  146  feet  in  thick- 
ness;  surface  elevation  is  690±  feet.  The  St.  Peter  water  level  at 
Tinley  Park  was  10  feet  below  the  surface  in  July,  1915.  Wells  which 
are  intended  to  pass  through  the  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group 
would  have  to  be  from  1,500  to  1,700  feet  in  depth,  because  of  varia- 
tions in  surface  relief. 

It  is  not  possible  to  predict  exactly  the  quality  of  the  water  obtain- 
able from  these  lower  strata,  although  there  is  every  reason  for  believing 
it  will  be  of  good  quality.  The  mineral  content  will  probably  be  rather 
high  so  that  it  will  not  be  usable  in  boilers  unless  treated. 

Along  the  valley  of  the  Desplaines  River  the  depths  to  the  water- 
bearing formations  will  be  from  75  to  100  feet  less  than  on  the  uplands 
bordering  the  stream.  A  number  of  springs  occur  along  the  base  of 
the  Desplaines  River  bluffs,  as,  for  instance,  at  Willow  Springs. 

LEMONT 

The  municipal  supply  is  obtained  from  a  well  2,284  feet  in  depth. 
The  mineral  content  is  rather  high,  but  the  water  is  not  hard  as  com- 
mon salt  is  the  principal  mineral  and  the  sulphates  of  calcium  and  mag- 


COOK    COUNTY  109 

nesium  are  absent.     A  1,600-foot  well  would  probably  yield  a  water  of 
lower  salinity. 

The  water  level  was  reported  as  42  feet  below  the  surface  in  1912 
and  53  feet  in  1914.     The  surface  elevation  is  590±  feet. 

WESTERN    COOK    COUNTY 
ARGO 

The  Corn  Products  Refining  Company  at  Argo,  about  a  mile  south 
and  a  little  west  of  Summit,  has  7  deep  wells  in  operation.  The  geo- 
logical succession  is  indicated  by  the  following  log: 

Log  of  well  No.  8,  Corn  Products  Refining  Co.,  Argo,  III.,  NE.  1/4  NE  1/4  sec.  23 

T.  38  N.,  R.  12  E. 

Elevation — 590   feet 

Drilled  Aug.-Dec.  1914  by  S.  B.  Geiger,  Chicago 

Generalized  section* 

Thickness     Depth 
Description    strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent    (samples  missing) 38  38 

Silurian  system 

Niagaran  limestone  (samples  missing) 310  348 

Ordovician  system   ' 

Maquoketa  shale  (samples  missing) 147  495 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,    gray,    crystalline 305  800 

St.   Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  colorless,  well  rounded  grains 260  1060 

Shale,  grayb   30  1090 


a  The  detailed  log  of  this  well,  compiled  from  study  of  samples,  is  to  be  found 
in  the   Survey  files  if  needed  for   reference. 

b  Mr.  Ulrich  has  the  following  to  say  in  regard  to  the  interval  between  1060 
and  1125  feet:  "Finely  laminated,  hard,  siliceous  rock  (would  not  like  to  call  it 
shale)  occurs  in  places  in  southeastern  Wisconsin  between  the  typical  St.  Peter 
and  the  Shakopee.  Sometimes  it  includes,  or  is  associated  with,  heavy  chert  con- 
glomerate; and  frequently  there  are  red  streaks  or  beds  with  the  white.  I  regard 
these  local  deposits  as  erosion  products,  accumulated  when  the  first  Ordovician  sea 
(the  St.  Peter)  invaded  this  area.  At  one  of  these  occurrences  in  Wisconsin  I  found 
these  siliceous  deposits  transgressing  the  beveled  edges  of  the  Shakopee  and  finally 
resting  on  beds  well  down  in  the  Oneota".  As  to  the  90-foot  interval  between 
1125  and  1215  feet,  Mr.  Ulrich  is  "inclined  to  regard  this  as  Oneota  and  the 
Shakopee  as  absent".  Of  the  strata  between  1215  and  1255  feet,  he  says:  "A 
few  inches  to  3  or  4  feet  of  green  shale  with  chert  is  found  at  the  base  of  the 
Oneota  in  many  of  the  sections  in  "Wisconsin.  Commonly  a  large  part  of  the 
chert  is  oolitic.  Despite  its  much  greater  thickness  (40  feet)  in  this  well,  I  am 
strongly  inclined  to  correlate  this  cherty  shale  with  the  otherwise  similar  deposit 
at  the  base  of  the  Oneota  in  Wisconsin."  The  interval  between  1255  and  1345 
feet,  and  probably  1345  and  1355  feet  is  "evidently  the  Madison  sandstone  and 
Mendota  dolomite".  Between  1355  and  1535  feet,  Mr.  Ulrich  considers  the  strata 
to  be  Jordan.  Of  the  rocks  between  1535  and  1795  feet  and  probably  1795  and  1825 
feet,  he  says:  "All  of  this  suggests  only  the  St.  Lawrence.  I  doubt  that  the  drill 
reached  the  Franconia". 


110  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

Log  of  well  No.  8 — Concluded 

Thickness  Depth 

Description  strata  Feet  Feet 
Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Chert,  dolomite  and  siliceous  oolite 7  1097 

Shale,  red  and  gray 28  1125 

Dolomite,    gray,    crystalline 90  1215 

Shale,  greenish-gray    30  1245 

Chert,  white  and  gray 10  1255 

Sandstone,  contains  glauconite .  60  1315 

Sandstone,  dolomitic,  contains  glauconite 20  1335 

Dolomite,  sandy   10  1345 

Cambrian  system 
"Potsdam''   group 

Sandstone,  colorless,  rounded  quartz  grains 205  1550 

Shale,  light  gray  to  bluish  green 50  1600 

Shale,  dark  red  or  chocolate-colored 90  1690 

Shale,   green 55  1745 

Dolomite , 50  1795 

Shale,  bright  green 15  1810 

"Limestone"    (samples   missing)     15  1825 

Sandstone   49  1874 

The  extraordinary  thickness  of  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  at  this  place 
is  noteworthy,  especially  on  comparison  with  the  record  at  Summit. 

The  combined  yield  of  the  7  wells  in  July,  1915,  was  1,250,000  gallons 
per  24  hours  during  continuous  operation.  The  pumpage  per  well  is  not 
as  great  as  for  wells  of  similar  size  in  Chicago  and  there  is  a  possibility 
that  some  water  escapes  into  the  uncased  St.  Peter  sandstone  which  is 
here  over  250  feet  in  thickness.  It  may  be  mentioned  that  the  yield  of  one 
of  the  wells  was  increased  from  275  to  435  gallons  per  minute  by  shooting 
the  water-bearing  stratum  with  nitroglycerine. 

The  first  well  was  drilled  in  1907  but  the  original  static  head  is  not 
known.  However,  on  evidence  from  the  Clearing  wells,  it  was  probably 
about  100  feet  below  the  surface.  In  July,  1914,  the  water  level  in  No.  2 
well  was  212  feet  below  the  surface  while  all  other  wells  were  in  opera- 
tion. The  water  levels  in  the  other  wells  were  approximately  the  same. 
The  wells  are  from  450  to  1,200  feet  apart. 

A  more  complete  test  was  made  upon  well  No.  2  on  July  5,  191.5. 
The  entire  7  wells  were  shut  down  at  5  :45  a.  m.  and  the  first  measure- 
ment obtained  was  at  7:13  a.  m.  The  water  level  was  then  223.5  feet  be- 
low the  ground  surface.  The  ground  elevation  is  592  feet.  Measure- 
ments were  taken  at  frequent  intervals  during  the  following  9  hours. 
During  the  first  two  hours  the  total  rise  was  8  feet  after  which  time  the 
rate  of  recovery  was  much  slower.  At  4:33  p.  m.  the  level  was  191.5 
feet  below  the  surface  and  still  rising  at  the  rate  of  about  a  foot  per 


COOK    COUNTY  111 

hour.  This  gave  a  total  rise  of  32  feet  for  the  nine  hours  and  twenty 
minutes,  however,  it  is  to  be  noted  that  the  first  measurement  was  not 
taken  until  88  minutes  after  cessation  of  pumping.  The  test  could  not 
be  continued  longer  as  it  was  necessary  to  begin  pumping. 

This  well  was  delivering  about  600  gallons  per  minute ;  the  other 
wells  yield  only  150  to  485  gallons  per  minute.  No.  2  well  is  1,507  feet 
in  depth ;  the  casing  reported  is  73  feet  of  15-inch  O.  D.  drive  pipe  to  bed 
rock  and  225  feet  of  9^-inch  casing  for  the  Maquoketa  shale;  the  well 
was  finished  at  8  inches. 

A  popular  air  lift  system  was  in  use  at  this  plant  until  recently,  but 
at  the  present  time  the  following  method  is  in  use.  Tests  are  made  upon 
a  well  to  determine  its  yield  at  the  available  air  pressure.  A  discharge 
pipe  is  then  used  the  diameter  of  which  is  slightly  less  than  that  required 
to  deliver  the  water  at  the  well's  rated  capacity.  The  purpose  is  to  have 
the  discharge  pipe  completely  filled  with  water  at  all  times.  The  only 
nozzle  used  is  a  perforated  pipe  about  5  or  6  feet  in  length  which  is 
screwed  to  the  end  of  the  air  pipe.  The  holes  are  numerous,  about 
yi  inch  in  diameter  and  drilled  in  at  an  angle. 

The  management  states  that  better  results  are  obtained  with  this 
new  pumping  arrangement. 

The  appended  analyses  of  the  waters  indicate  that  they  are  fairly 
heavily  mineralized  as  is  customary  from  wells  of  these  depths.  The 
No.  7  water  is  somewhat  softer,  which  may  be  either  due  to  dilution 
from  upper  strata  water  or  because  a  softer  water  is  obtained  from  the 
greater  depths ;  the  former  inference  seems  the  more  probable. 

BELLEWOOD 

The  village  of  Bellewood  in  1913  completed  a  1,538-foot  well  which 
passes  through  the  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group.  The  well 
is  12  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface  and  finished  at  8  inches.  The  yield 
was  over  200  gallons  per  minute  on  a  100-hour  pumping  test.  The  water 
level  was  reported  to  be  75  feet  below  the  surface  in  June,  1911;  the 
surface  elevation  is  635  ±  feet. 


The  municipal  supply  is  obtained  from  a  well  approximately  1,600 
feet  in  depth  penetrating  the  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group. 
The  static  head  was  reported  as  113  feet  below  the  surface  in  Septem- 
ber, 1909,  and  166  feet  in  June,  1914.    The  surface  elevation  is  605  ±  feet. 

CLEARING 

The  Chicago  and  Western  Indiana  Railroad  Company  has  3  deep 
wells  at  their  Clearing  yards  in  the  SW.J4  sec.  21,  T.  38  N.,  R.  13  E. 


112  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  wells  are  approximately  1,600  feet  in  depth  and  the  geological  suc- 
cession is  similar  to  that  at  Argo  about  3  miles  to  the  west.  The  St. 
Peter  sandstone  at  Clearing  has  its  usual  thickness  of  approximately  .125 
feet ;  this  is  in  contrast  with  the  much  greater  thickness  at  Argo.  The 
main  water-bearing  formation  is  the  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam" 
group. 

These  wells  were  drilled  in  1901  and  at  that  time  the  static  head  was 
93  feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an  elevation  of  524  feet.  In  common  with 
other  wells  in  the  Chicago  area,  the  static  head  has  been  gradually  low- 
ering since  that  time.  The  recession  in  the  water  level  since  1901  is  given 
in  Table  I. 

The  water  level  in  July,  1914,  was  212  feet  below  the  surface  after 
the  wells  had  been  shut  down  for  over  4  hours.  Measurements  showed 
that  the  water  was  still  rising  at  the  end  of  this  period  at  the  rate  of  3 
inches  per  hour. 

The  chemical  analyses  indicate  that  the  water  is  fairly  heavily 
mineralized.    It  is  similar  to  that  at  Argo  and  Summit. 

A  new  well,  16  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface  and  8  inches  at  the 
bottom,  was  drilled  in  1912.  This  well  has  not  proved  satisfactory  as  a 
yield  of  only  120  gallons  per  minute  could  be  obtained  with  a  sub- 
mergence of  257  feet.  The  water  level  was  reported  at  145  feet.  The. 
well  was  also  tested  with  420  feet  of  air  pipe  with  about  the  same  yield 
as  in  the  previously  mentioned  test.  The  water  level  would  drop  so 
low,  however,  that  a  large  amount  of  air  would  be  discharged. 

This  well  is  1,605  feet  in  depth  and  penetrates  the  first  "Potsdam" 
sandstone  which  in  hundreds  of  other  wells  yields  200  and  more  gallons 
per  minute.  This  well  has  only  36  feet  surface  drive  pipe  and  10-inch 
casing  for  the  Maquoketa  shale.  It  therefore  seems  very  probable  that 
crevices  in  the  limestone  have  been  struck  in  drilling  which  carry  away 
a  large  amount  of  the  water.  There  is  also  a  possibility  of  the  St.  Peter 
sandstone  causing  some  leakage.  The  remedy  for  this  loss  would  be 
more  casing. 

FOREST    PARK 

The  city  owns  two  "Potsdam"  wells  which  are  1,650 ±  and  2,012 
feet  in  depth.  The  2,012-foot  well  is  14  inches  in  diameter  at  the  sur- 
face and  is  finished  at  8  inches ;  the  other  and  older  well  is  somewhat 
smaller.  The  deeper  well  is  operated  to  a  greater  extent  and  delivers 
over  750  gallons  per  minute ;  both  wells  are  pumped  in  summer  and  at 
other  times  of  large  consumption.  The  average  daily  pumpage  for  May, 
191.5,  was  596,000  gallons  per  day.  The  2,012-foot  well  is  pumped  by 
a  six-stage  turbine  pump  and  the  shallower  well  is  equipped  with  an 
air-lift  system. 


COOK    COUNTY  113 

The  static  level  was  reported  as  being  93  feet  below  the  surface  in 
November,  1901.  The  level  February  4,  1914,  was  163  feet  below  the 
surface  after  the  2,012-foot  well  had  been  shut  down  for  25  minutes ; 
the  wells  are  about  25  feet  apart.  On  February  22,  1915,  the  level  in 
the  2,012-foot  well  was  182.7  feet  after  the  well  had  been  closed  down 
for  several  hours;  however,  the  l,650±-well  was  delivering  390  gallons 
per  minute.     The  surface  elevation  is  625 ±   feet. 

The  mineral  analysis  of  the  2,012-foot  well  indicates  a  somewhat 
mineralized  water,  but  the  total  content  of  dissolved  solids  is  rather  low 
for  this  depth.  A  little  hydrogen  sulphide  gas  was  noted,  particularly 
in  the  l,650±-foot  well;  evidently  some  water  is  obtained  from  the 
fissured  Niagaran  limestone. 

'   LA    GRANGE 

The  municipal  supply  of  La  Grange  is  furnished  by  3  deep  wells 
operated  by  the  Public  Service  Company  of  Northern  Illinois.  The  wells 
are  approximately  2,000  feet  in  depth  and  the  water  is  obtained  from 
the  "Potsdam"  and  overlying  strata.  La  Grange  is  at  the  western 
border  of  the  Chicago  plain  and  toward  the  west  begins  the  Valparaiso 
morainic  system.  This  morainic  area  is  at  a  greater  elevation,  has  more 
relief,  and  is  covered  by  a  heavier  mantle  of  drift  than  the  region  to 
the  east.  There  is  therefore  a  strong  probability  that  this  elevated  area 
acts  as  a  collecting  reservoir  and  that  after  the  water  reaches  the  under- 
lying, fissured  limestone  it  flows  by  hydrostatic  pressure  to  lower  points. 
This  may  explain  the  occasional  occurrence  of  flowing  shallow  wells  in 
the  eastern  part  of  La  Grange. 

It  is  also  very  probable  that  the  deep  wells  receive  considerable 
additions  of  water  from  the  Niagaran  limestone  which  is  not  cased  off. 
This  inference  is  strengthened  when  the  analyses  are  compared  with 
those  from  the  shallow  Niagaran  limestone  wells  at  Hinsdale,  3  miles  to 
the  west. 

The  La  Grange  wells  range  in  size  from  6  inches  in  diameter  at  the 
bottom  to  16  inches  at  the  surface.  They  are  capable  of  yielding  to- 
gether at  least  1,400  gallons  per  minute.  The  No.  3  well,  which  was 
drilled  in  1910,  delivered  1,020  gallons  per  minute  on  a  24-hour  test. 
The  temperature  of  the  water  from  No.  2  was  56.5°  F.,  which  is  low 
for  a  2,000-foot  well ;  this  may  be  due  to  the  cooling  effect  of  upper- 
strata  water. 

There  has  been  a  lowering  of  the  static  level  as  in  other  deep  wells 
of  this  territory,  but  the  recession  is  not  as  marked.  The  following 
water  levels  were  furnished  by  the  operating  company.  Surface  ele- 
vation is  635 ±  feet. 


114  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Recession  in  artesian  water  level  at  La  Grange 

Static  Working 

feet  below  feet  below 

Date  surface  surface 

1910     '. 47  53 

1911 53  60 

1912  58  70 

1913  65  80 

1914  70  99 

LYONS 

The  village  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  well  1,595  feet  in 
depth,  penetrating  the  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group.  The 
well  was  drilled  in  1908,  at  which  time  the  water  level  was  105  feet 
below  the  surface  or  at  an  elevation  of  510  feet.  The  recession  since 
that  time  is  indicated  below. 

Recession  in  artesian  toater  level  at  Lyons 

Feet  below 
Date  surface 

July,  1908   105 

December,    1912 128 

July,  1914   137 

This  is  a  very  moderate  lowering  as  compared  with  that  at  Argo 
and  Clearing.  However,  the  well  at  Lyons  is  pumped  at  the  rate  of 
only  about  50  gallons  per  minute. 

The  analysis  given  in  the  appendix  represents  a  fairly  highly  min- 
eralized water  similar  to  that  from  other  wells  in  the  neighborhood  of 
corresponding  depths. 


MAYWOOD 

The  water  supply  of  the  city  is  obtained  from  a  1,605-foot  "Pots- 
dam" well.  The  size  is  16  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface  and  8  inches 
at  the  bottom.  There  is  also  another  well  of  similar  depth  but  smaller 
bore  which  is  equipped  so  that  it  is  available  in  emergencies.  The  geo- 
logical succession  is  indicated  by  the  following  driller's  log: 

Driller's  record  of  well  at  Maywood 

Elevation — 630±  feet                      Thickness  Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Soil,    sand,    clay 52  52 

Limestone     (Niagaran) 298  350 

Shale    (Maquoketa)    220  570 

Limestone    (Galena-Platteville) 270  840 

Sandstone   (St.  Peter) 140  980 

Limestone   ( Prairie  du  Chien ) 420  1400 

Sandstone    ( "Potsdam" ) 190  1590 

Limestone    ("Potsdam") 15  1605 


COOK    COUNTY  115 

The  yield  from  the  1,605-foot  well  was  reported  as  700  gallons  per 
minute  for  23  hours  per  day.  The  water  is  fairly  highly  mineralized 
and  similar  to  that  at  Melrose  which  is  about  1.5  miles  to  the  west.  The 
temperature  of  the  water  was  57.7°  F. 

The  following  static  levels  were  reported : 

Water  levels  at  Maywood;  elevation,  630±  feet 

Feet  below 

Date  surface 

July,         1907 80 

July,        1908 90 

July,        1909 100 

July,         1910 110 

July,         1911 114 

July,        1912 140 

July,        1913 180 . 5 

August,    1914 213  a 

a  When   pumping-    700    gallons    per  min. 

These  levels  seem  very  low  when  compared  with  those  at  Melrose. 
There  is  a  probability  that  the  wells  had  not  entirely  come  to  rest  when 
the  measurements  were  made.  Also,  the  well  is  being  pumped  at  a  very 
high  rate  which  would  tend  to  lower  the  water  level.  The  measurement 
of  1914  was  made  by  the  writer  while  the  well  was  in  operation. 

The  American  Can  Company,  located  a  few  hundred  feet  east  of 
the  Maywood  city  well,  has  two  "Potsdam"  wells.  One  of  these  was 
drilled  in  1915  and  the  water  level  was  reported  at  rest  as  95  feet.  This 
would  indicate  that  the  level  in  the  city  well  has  been  greatly  lowered 
by  the  heavy  pumpage. 

mp:leose 

The  municipal  supply  is  furnished  by  two  "Potsdam"  wells,  1,620 
and  1,571  feet  in  depth.  The  1,620-foot  or  the  older  well,  is  16  inches 
in  diameter  at  the  surface,  and  although  it  is  only  4^g  inches  at  the 
bottom,  nevertheless  the  yield  is  420  gallons  per  minute.  However,  the 
old  well  is  only  50  ±  feet  south  of  the  new  large  well,  so  that  there 
undoubtedly  is  underground  connection  between  them  by  means  of  the 
fissures  in  the  limestone.  The  new  well  is  16  inches  at  the  surface  and 
8  inches  at  the  bottom  and  delivers  520  gallons  per  minute.  These  yields 
refer  to  the  wells  when  they  are  operating  separately,  and  it  is  probable 
that  the  delivery  per  well  would  not  be  as  great  when  they  are  pumping 
together. 

The  water  analyses  indicate  a  somewhat  mineralized  water  which 
is  similar  to  that  obtained  from  like  depths  in  this  locality. 


116 


ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


The  static  head  as  reported  is  given  below ;  the  surface  elevation  is 
630±  feet. 

Recession  in  artesian  water  level  at  Melrose 


Date 

Feet  below  surface 

Remarks 

October,  1912 

75 

About  85  when  pumping 

May,         1914 

80 

Lowers    9    feet    in    pumping; 
recovers  in  3  hours 

The  water  level  in  the  1,571-foot  well  was  97.5  feet  below  the  sur- 
face when  pumping  at  the  rate  of  520  gallons  per  minute ;  the  other 
well  was  at  rest.  The  well  was  shut  down  for  an  hour  and  a  rise  of 
12  feet  was  noted  with  the  water  still  rising  at  the  rate  of  1  foot  per 
hour.     The  water  levels  in  the  2  wells  were  found  to  be  the  same. 


PROVISO    TOWNSHIP 

The  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company  has  drilled  8 
wells  at  their  Proviso  yards  which  range  in  depth  from  1,200  to  1,850 
feet.  The  geological  succession  as  determined  by  Prof.  T.  E.  Savage 
from  a  study  of  the  drillings  is  given  below. 

Log  of  well  No.  3,  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Co.,  8E.  1/4  NW.  1/4 

sec.  5,  T.  39  N.,  R.  12  E. 

Elevation— 643.6  feet 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  recent  deposits 

Surface  material,  yellow  clay  and  pebbles 5  5 

Clay,  gray ;  with  pebbles 25  30 

Drift  till,  pebbles 43  73 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran  limestone 
Limestone,  light  gray,  dense,  fine-grained,  subcrystalline.  .       172  245 

Ordovician  system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,    bluish    gray 233  478 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  light  gray,  fine  grained 130  608 

Dolomite,  powdered,  fine  grained 77  685 

Dolomite,  fragmentary;   small  amount  of  rounded  quartz 

sand  grains    125  810 

St.   Peter  sandstone 

Quartz  sand,  white,  clean,  well  rounded 150  960 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Dolomite  and  limestone,  fine  grained,  light  gray;    mixed 

with  fragments  of  drab   shale 70  1030 

Dolomite,  finely  powdered;   slight  reaction  with  cold  acid       150  1180 


COOK    COUNTY  117 

Log  of  well  No.  3,  C.  &  N.  W.  By.  Co. — Concluded 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Dolomite,  gray  finely  powdered,  mixed  with  a  consider- 
able amount  of  rounded  sand  grains;  slight  reaction 
with   cold   acid 50  1230 

Sandstone,  brown  to  pink,  fine  grained.  Larger  frag- 
ments contain  specks  of  a  black  mineral,  probably 
glauconite     40  1270 

Dolomite,  gray;  slight  reaction  with  cold  acid;  some  sand 

grains    60  1330 

Cambrian  system 
Potsdam  group 

Sandstone;  quartz,  light  brown;  some  finely  powdered 
dolomite 100  1430 

Sandstone,  pure,   cream   colored,   rounded   grains 95  1525 

Sandstone,  brown;   some  finely  powdered  brown  dolomite 

and  gray  chert  fragments 15  1540 

Dolomite,    gray,    subcrystalline,    fragments    coated    with 

drab-colored  shale 60  1600 

Shale,  calcareous,  gray,  sandy;  considerable  reaction  with 
cold  acid 165  1765 

Sandstone,     quartz,     coarse,     gray;     grains     considerably 

rounded 60  1825 

Dolomite,   light   grayish   brown,   sandy 5  1830 

These  wells  can  be  divided  into  two  groups  according  to  the  chemi- 
cal character  of  the  water.  The  wells,  1,200  feet  in  depth,  yield  a  some- 
what mineralized  water,  as  indicated  by  the  appended  analysis  from  well 
No.  2.  The  deeper  wells  deliver  a  less  mineralized  water  that  can  be 
used  in  boilers  without  treatment.  This  difference  in  the  mineral  con- 
tent of  the  waters  from  the  different  wells  is  not  only  due  to  differences 
in  depth  but  chiefly  in  the  deeper  wells  to  the  exclusion  of  the  hard  upper 
strata  waters  by  casing. 

The  1,200-foot  wells  have  only  the  70 ±  surface  drive  pipe  and 
150 ±  feet  of  casing  for  the  Maquoketa  shale.  Therefore,  the  resulting 
yield  from  the  well  is  a  mixture  of  the  waters  from  the  Niagaran  lime- 
stone, St.  Peter  sandstone,  and  the  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone.  The 
deeper  wells  are  1,825  to  1,850  feet  in  depth  and  are  completely  cased 
from  the  surface  to  at  least  1,522  feet.  This  length  of  casing  prevents 
the  access  of  all  water  above  the  base  of  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone. 
The  casings  in  the  different  wells  are  indicated  in  the  table  of  analyses 
in  the  appendix. 

The  water  from  the  lower  "Potsdam"  sandstone  in  these  cased 
wells  is  of  a  low  mineral  content.  However,  this  soft  water  is  obtained 
at  the  sacrifice  of  quantity,  as  the  1,200-foot  wells  yield  more  water 
than  those  1,800  feet  in  depth.     The  earlier  deep  wells  were  drilled  in 


118  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

the  latter  part  of  1911  and  in  1912;  the  size  of  the  wells  ranges  from 
12  to  15  inches  in  surface  diameter  and  6  to  8  inches  at  the  bottom.  A 
number  of  tests  were  made  on  the  1,800-foot  cased  wells  but  the  maxi- 
mum delivery  was  an  average  of  150  gallons  per  minute  on  a  2-hour 
test  made  on  well  No.  5,  February  7,  1912.  The  water  stood  at  38  feet 
below  the  surface  at  the  beginning  of  the  test  and  the  pump  was  at  a 
depth  of  165  feet.  When  the  pump  was  speeded  up  so  that  the  delivery 
was  greater  than  150  gallons,  the  pump  drew  air.  This  indicated  a 
lowering  of  127  feet  in  the  water  level  under  these  pumping  conditions. 

Additional  tests  have  been  made  by  this  company  to  determine  the 
effects  of  pumping  upon  other  wells  in  the  vicinity.  The  wells  No.  1, 
No.  3,  and  No.  5  are  located  along  a  straight  east-west  line ;  No.  5  is 
600  feet  east  of  No.  1  and  No.  3  is  half  way  between  the  two.  The 
sizes  and  casings  of  the  wells  are  as  follows : 

No.  1  No.  3  No.  5 

Size,  inches 12-5         12-6%         12-8 

Length  of  casing,  feet 1550.5     1670  1723 

Depth,  feet  1825         1830  1841 

The  results  of  pumping  tests  in  well  No.  1  are  given  below,  and 
also  the  lowering  of  the  water  levels  in  well  No.  3.  The  pumping  equip- 
ment of  No.  1  was  a  2-stage  straight  air-lift  system. 

Pumping  tests  on  C.  &  N.  W.  Ry.  wells  at  Proviso 
(Beginning  July   25,   1912.) 

Well  No.  1  Well  No.  3  Well  No.  5 

Water  level  Water  level 

Feet  Gallon  per  Feet 

Time                    below  surface  minute  below  surface 

8:50  a.m.                      38  121  38  Stopped 

10:00                              216  114  Stopped 

11:00                               ...  112  67.5  Pumping 

12:00                              226  112  Stopped 

1:00  p.m.                    226  112  81.5  Pumping 

2:00                              231  112  85.5  Pumping 

3:00                              233  112  89.5  Pumping 

4:00                              233  112  92  Pumping 

5:00                              233  112  93.5  Pumping 

(July  26,  1912) 

8:00  a.m.                      38  115  38  At  rest 

8:20                              214  ...  At  rest 

9:00                              221  110  At  rest 

10:00                              226  110  65.5  At  rest 

11:00                              226  110  68  At  rest 

12:00                              228  110  71  At  rest 

1:00  p.m.                    228  110  72  At  rest 

2:00                              230  110  73  At  rest 

3:00                             230  110  75.5  Started,  3:30  pro. 

4:00                               230  110  79  Pumping 


COOK    COUNTY  119 

The  test  on  the  second  day  indicated  that  the  water  level  lowered 
from  38  to  230  feet  below  the  surface  when  pumping  at  the  rate  of  110 
gallons  per  minute  for  8  hours.  It  is  notable  that  the  water  level 
receded  to  214  feet  after  20  minutes  of  pumping.  The  level  in  well 
No.  3,  which  is  300  feet  to  the  east,  lowered  37.5  feet  during  the  7.5 
hours  that  No.  1  was  being  pumped. 

Another  test  was  made  upon  Nos.  1  and  5  on  August  2,  1912,  at 
which  time  the  combined  pumpage  was  approximately  225  gallons  per 
minute.  At  the  end  of  9  hours'  pumping  the  water  level  in  No.  1.  was 
242  feet  below  the  surface  and  97  feet  in  No.  3.  The  level  in  No.  5 
was  not  given. 

The  tests  show  that  wells  of  this  size  yield  about  110  gallons  per 
minute  with  a  lowering  of  190  to  200  feet  in  the  water  level. 

These  results  should  be  compared  with  those  obtained  from  the 
1,200-foot  wells.  These  1,200-foot  wells  are  all  of  practically  the  same 
depth  and  cased  with  only  70 ±  feet  of  16-inch  O.  D.  surface  pipe  and 
160 ±  feet  of  10-inch  casing  for  the  Maquoketa  shale;  the  bottom  dia- 
meter is   8  inches. 

An  8-hour  test  made  September  10,  1912,  on  No.  2  averaged  150 
gallons  per  minute.  The  water  level  was  73  feet  below  the  surface  at 
the  start  and  130  feet  at  the  completion  of  the  test.  The  pumping 
equipment  was  a  deep- well  pump  with  a  7 . 5-inch  working  barrel  placed 
160  feet  below  the  surface. 

The  results  of  a  test  made  upon  well  No.  4  are  given  below.  The 
pumping  equipment  was  a  deep  well  pump  with  a  7.5-inch  working 
barrel  placed  200  feet  below  the  surface. 

Test  on  well  No.  4,  Aug.  9  and  10,  1912 


Remarks 
August  9;    started  pumping 


Water  level 

No. 

Feet  below 

strokes 

Gal.  p( 

Time 

surface 

per  min. 

min. 

9:30  a.m. 

83 

36 

156 

11:00 

95 

34 

142 

1:00  p.m. 

99 

33 

149 

3:00 

103 

40 

183 

5:00 

107 

40 

180 

7:00 

107 

40 

172 

9:00 

108 

40 

172 

11:00 

109 

40 

183 

1:00  a.m. 

109 

40 

172 

3:00 

109 

41 

183 

5:00 

109 

39 

172 

7:00 

110 

40 

172 

9:00 

111 

41 

183 

11:00 

111 

41 

183 

August  10 


Stopped  pumping 


120  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

A  33-hour  test  made  upon  well  No.  7  with  a  deep  well  pump  aver- 
aged 190  gallons  per  minute.  The  water  level  receded  from  78  feet 
below  the  surface  at  the  beginning  of  pumping  to  113  feet  at  the  end 
of  the  test;  the  level  was  113  feet  during  the  last  8  hours  of  pumping. 

On  comparing  the  results  obtained  from  the  uncased  1,200-foot  and 
the  cased  1,800-foot  wells  it  is  seen  that  the  former  yield  1.5  times  as 
much  water  as  the  latter  and  with  a  less  lowering  of  the  water  table.  It 
is  also  noted  that  the  water  level  in  the  shallower  wells  was  originally 
about  40  feet  lower  than  in  the  1,800-foot  wells,  but  that  on  pumping 
the  recession  was  not  nearly  so  great  in  the  1,200-foot  wells  as  in  the 
deeper  ones.  This  all  indicates  that  a  larger  supply  of  the  hard  water 
from  shallow  depths  can  be  obtained  than  of  softer  water  from  the 
deeper  horizons. 

Temperatures  of  the  water  were  obtained,  but  they  show  some 
variations.  This  is  probably  due  to  the  slight  heating  effect  of  the  air- 
lift system.  The  waters  in  the  shallower  wells,  however,  have  a  con- 
sistently lower  temperature  than  those  from  the  deeper  horizons.  The 
1,200-foot  wells  are  pumped  with  deep  well  pumps,  whereas  the  deeper 
wells  are  equipped  with  air-lift  systems.  Nevertheless,  the  temperature 
differences  can  not  be  entirely  explained  on  this  basis,  but  are  essentially 
due  to  the  fact  that  the  waters  from  the  deeper  strata  are  inherently 
warmer  than  those  from  the  shallower  depths. 

Temperatures  of  wells  at  Proviso 


Well 

Depth 

Casing 

Temperature 

No. 

Feet 

Feet 

Degrees  F. 

1 

1,825 

1,551 

60.4° 

2 

1,200 

66 

58.1° 

4 

1,203 

76.5 

52.8° 

5 

1,841 

1,723 

61.0° 

7 

1,202.5 

70 

51.5° 

9 

1,849 

1,522 

RIVER    FOREST 

64.0° 

The  municipal  water  supply  is  obtained  from  2  wells  approximately 
1 ,000  feet  in  depth.  There  are  no  logs,  but  according  to  those  of  other 
wells  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  it  is  evident  that  the  St.  Peter  sandstone 
would  be  penetrated  at  this  depth.  Other  factors  are  present,  however, 
which  seem  to  indicate  that  the  water  from  the  overlying  strata  con- 
tribute to  a  considerable  extent  to  the  water  production  of   the  wells. 

The  analyses  in  the  appendix  indicate  a  moderately  mineralized 
water  containing  a  small  amount  of  scale-forming  solids.  Some  hydro- 
gen sulphide  gas  is  noted  as  the  water  is  pumped  from  the  wells,  but  is 
tiol  reported  in  the  water  drawn  from  the  mains.   The  water  is  somewhat 


COOK    COUNTY  121 

similar  to  that  from  the  Niagaran  limestone  because  of  this  gas,  but 
the  mineral  content  as  a  whole  is  greater.  The  temperature  was  52°  F., 
which  also  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Niagaran  limestone  water.  Then 
again  when  it  is  recalled  that  the  well  at  the  Western  Electric  Company, 
about  5  miles  to  the  east,  could  obtain  only  20  gallons  per  minute  from 
the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  it  seems  very  probable  that  the  River  Forest 
wells  obtain  considerable  water  from  the  Niagaran  and  the  Galena- 
Platteville   formations. 

The  wells  are  10  and  12  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface  and  yield 
110  and  150  gallons  per  minute,  respectively.  The  bottom  diameters  are 
about  6  inches. 

The  water  level  in  the  larger  well  was  71  feet  below  the  surface 
on  August  15,  1914;  the  measurement  was  taken  53  minutes  after  pump- 
ing had  ceased.  A  measurement  made  5  minutes  after  cessation  of 
pumping  gave  the  level  as  80.3  feet.  The  other  well,  which  is  at  a 
distance  of  150  feet,  was  in  continuous  operation.  The  surface  eleva- 
tion is  approximately  625   feet. 

RIVERSIDE 

The  municipal  water  supply  is  furnished  by  two  "Potsdam"  wells 
about  2,000  feet  in  depth.  The  wells  were  both  completed  in  1898  and 
the  first  one  was  drilled  to  a  depth  of  about  2,200  feet.  However,  salt 
water  was  encountered  and  the  well  was  later  plugged  at  2,000  feet. 
The  other,  or  west  well,  was  then  drilled  to  a  depth  of  1,980  feet. 

The  wells  are  reported  to  have  flowed  when  first  drilled,  but  in 
1899  the  static  head  was  20  feet  below  the  surface  according  to  Leverett.1 
There  was  considerable  fluctuation  in  the  water  level  during  the  summer 
of  1914,  but  this  was  very  probably  due  to  unequal  rates  of  pumping. 
The  level  in  July  of  that  year  was  109  feet  below  the  surface  in  the 
west  well,  after  both  wells  had  been  at  rest  for  six  days.  The  pumping 
level  in  the  same  well  was  169  feet  below  the  surface  when  delivering 
water  at  the  rate  of  240  gallons  per  minute  for  twenty  hours  per  day; 
the  other  well  was  not  in  operation. 

During  the  month  of  July,  1913,  there  occurred  apparently  a  sudden 
recession  of  the  water  table.  The  water  level  was  measured  in  1912 
and  found  to  be  70  feet  below  the  surface  in  both  wells.  The  static 
head  in  the  east  well  was  measured  also  in  July,  1913,  and  found  to  be 
70  feet  below  the  surface.  However,  the  level  was  again  determined  in 
the  same  well  a  week  later  and  found  to  be  140  feet  below  the  surface, 
or  an  apparent  recession  of  70  feet.  No  observation  had  been  made  in 
1913  upon  the  west  well  until  the  lowering  in  the  east  well  had  been 


1  Leverett,    Frank,    The   Illinois    Glacial   Lobe   U.    S.    Geol.    Survey    Monograph    38, 
p.    589,    1899. 


122  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

noted.  The  measurement  was  then  made  upon  this  well  and  found  to 
be  110  feet  as  compared  with  70  feet  the  previous  year.  The  wells  are 
not  over  150  feet  apart. 

The  writer's  inquiries  in  neighboring  towns  to  determine  whether 
a  similar  recession  had  taken  place  at  the  same  time  revealed  that  only 
the  normal  recession  had  taken  place.  Although  the  recession  in  a  num- 
ber of  wells  at  the  Corn  Products  Refining  Company  at  Argo,  about  3 
miles  south  of  Riverside,  has  been  very  great  since  the  first  well  was 
drilled  in  1912,  no  unusual  lowering  was  noted  in  1913. 

It  therefore  appears  to  the  writer  that  the  apparent  sudden  recession 
of  1913  may  be  explained  by  the  differences  in  a  level  which  exist  be- 
tween that  of  true  "Potsdam"  water  and  that  of  the  general  ground 
water  table.  It  is  known  that  in  this  region  the  ground  water  level  is 
much  nearer  the  surface  than  that  of  the  artesian  water  from  the  deep- 
lying  strata.  In  drilling  deep  wells,  the  water  level  is  that  of  the  ground 
water  at  about  50  to  75  feet  below  the  surface,  until  the  artesian  water- 
bearing formation  is  penetrated  when  the  water  level  suddenly  drops 
and  assumes  the  static  head  of  the  artesian  stratum.  Further,  in  many 
old  deep  wells,  the  water  from  the  lower,  artesian  beds  has  been  ex- 
cluded by  caving  in  of  the  upper  parts  of  the  well.  The  water  level  in 
such  wells  will  be  that  of  the  general  ground  water  table  and  not  that 
of  the  deep-seated  artesian  strata.  If  wells  of  this  type  are  cleaned,  the 
water  level  is  again  that  of  artesian  formations. 

In  1913  it  was  known  that  there  was  a  leak  in  the  casing  of  the  east 
well  at  a  depth  of  about  57  feet  and  considerable  water  entered  the  well. 
Also  in  the  west  well,  at  about  this  same  time,  the  level  rose  from  110 
to  44  feet,  although  the  water  dropped  rapidly  in  pumping  and  the 
amount  obtained  was  not  at  all  comparable  with  that  produced  by  the 
other  well.     This  indicates  in  every  way,  shallow,  ground  water. 

Since  that  time  both  wells  have  been  cleaned  and  recased.  In  the 
summer  of  1914  the  west  or  1,980-foot  well,  had  been  completely  cased 
to  a  depth  of  302  feet  and  sealed  off  with  a  rubber  packer.  Therefore, 
the  water  level  of  109  feet  at  rest  very  probably  represents  the  static 
head  at  that  time,  as  no  ground  water  entered  the  well.  The  repairs 
upon  the  other  well  had  not  been  completed  at  that  time. 

The  high  level  of  70  feet  in  1913  seems  to  have  been  that  of  the 
general  ground  water  table ;  the  lowering  to  140  feet  may  have  been  due 
to  the  taking  of  the  measurement  before  final  recovery  after  a  pumping 
test.  This  low  level  does  not  seem  to  be  that  of  the  true  artesian  water 
in  view  of  the  much  higher  level,  i.  e.,  109  feet,  in  1914.  As  the  wells 
arc  only  15.0  feet  apart  and  the  same  depth,  the  water  levels  should  be 
the  same  unless  modified  by  entrance  of  water  from  surface  zones. 


COOK    COUNTY  123 

The  appended  boiler-water  analysis  given  in  the  appendix  for  the 
water  from  the  west  well  indicates  its  general  characteristics.  It  is  seen 
to  be  the  typically  rather  hard  water  of  the  "Potsdam"  wells. 

SUMMIT 

The  village  of  Summit  is  situated  on  the  Chicago  plain  and  in  an 
area  where  the  underground  waters  have  been  heavily  drawn  upon.  The 
city  supply  is  from  a  1,547-foot  well  penetrating  the  first  sandstone  of 
the  "Potsdam"  group.  A  new  well  was  drilled  in  1913,  the  driller's  log 
of  which  is  given  below. 

Log  of  ivell  at  Summit 
Surface  elevation — 600  feet 

(Authority,  J.  P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Co.,  Chicago) 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Earth,  sand  and  gravel 58  58 

Limestone  (Niagaran)    281  339 

Shale   (Maquoketa)    141  480 

Limestone    (Galena-Platteville)    324  804 

Sandstone    (St.  Peter)    131  935 

Limestone   (Prairie  du  Chien) 405  1340 

Sandstone   195  1535 

Limestone     30  1565 

Shale 80  1645 

Marl,    red ;     in    streaks 65  1710 

Shale    70  1780 

Limestone 23  1803 

Sandstone    ("Potsdam")     54  1857 

This  new  well,  which  is  17  inches  in  diameter  at  the  top  and  fin- 
ished at  8  inches,  delivered  551  gallons  per  minute  on  a  test.  The 
pumping  equipment  was  not  installed  in  the  summer  of  1914. 

The  water  from  the  old  well  is  not  highly  mineralized  when  the 
depth  of  the  well  is  considered.  The  other  analysis  which  is  appended 
is  of  the  water  which  flowed  into  the  new  well  at  or  near  the  contact 
of  the  surface  casing  with  the  bed  rock.  This  leakage  was  at  about  60 
feet  below  the  surface.  These  analyses  on  comparison  are  found  to  be 
very  similar,  although  the  water  from  the  1,547-foot  well  contains  a 
larger  amount  of  the  sodium  salts.  It  is  therefore  very  probable  that 
the  water  in  the  old  well  is  diluted  to  a  certain  extent  by  leakage  from 
the  uncased  Niagaran  limestone. 

The  static  head  was  reported  as  95  feet  below  the  surface  in  1908; 
it  had  lowered  to  142  feet  in  July,  1914. 


124  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

WESTERN    SPRINGS 

The  village  of  Western  Springs  in  the  latter  part  of  1913  completed 
a  well  approximately  1,600  feet  deep.  The  water  is  from  the  ''Potsdam" 
group  and  upper  strata.  The  surface  ground- water  level  was  reported 
to  be  14  feet  below  the  curb,  whereas  the  "Potsdam"  water  horizon  was 
down  to  134  feet.     The  surface  elevation  is  about  665  feet. 

NORTHERN     COOK     COUNTY 

GENERAL    STATEMENT 

At  the  present  time  the  suburbs  along  the  North  Shore  all  obtain 
their  municipal  water  supplies  from  Lake  Michigan,  and  any  deep  wells 
that  were  formerly  in  use  have  been  abandoned.  Wells  in  Evanston  of 
1,600  feet  in  depth  were  reported  to  have  flowed  up  to  1900. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  large  supplies  of  water,  comparable  to 
those  pumped  from  Chicago  wells,  could  be  obtained  from  wells  in  this 
part  of  the  county  at  about  1,600  feet  in  depth.  It  is  also  very  probable 
that  because  of  the  heavy  drift  mantle  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county, 
considerable  water  could  be  obtained  from  the  drift  and  Niagaran  lime- 
stone. 

DESPLAINES 

The  city  water  supply  is  furnished  by  3  drift  wells  about  125  feet 
deep.  The  wells  are  located  along  the  Desplaines  River ;  one  being 
within  8  feet  of  the  stream,  but  the  others  are  about  125  feet  from  the 
bank.  The  location  of  these  wells  along  a  stream  course  and  at  a  low 
elevation  with  respect  to  the  region,  is  conductive  to  obtaining  water 
from  shallow  depths.  An  exceptionally  good  flow  under  sufficient  pres- 
sure to  rise  within  15  feet  of  the  surface,  was  encountered  in  a  sand  and 
gravel  stratum  at  a  depth  of  110  feet.  The  drift  is  heavy  in  this  region, 
averaging  100  feet  and  more,  which  forms  a  good  collecting  reservoir 
for  the  rainfall.  It  is  therefore  not  unusual  to  obtain  strong  shallow 
wells  in  this  locality ;  in  fact,  at  the  lower  elevations,  as  along  the  Des- 
plaines River  north  of  Desplaines,  flowing  wells  have  in  some  places 
been  obtained. 

The  wells  at  Desplaines  are  reported  to  be  6  inches  in  diameter  and 
cased  the  entire  depth ;  whether  a  strainer  is  placed  at  the  bottom  is  not 
known.  The  yield  is  about  45  gallons  per  minute  per  well  and  the  aver- 
age daily  consumption  is  100,000  gallons. 

A  new  well,  4  feet  in  diameter,  was  being  drilled  in  July,  1915.  The 
contract  specified  that  a  stratum  of  sand  and  gravel  at  about  llOdz  feet 
should  be  penetrated.  At  a  depth  of  102  feet  the  drillers  bored  a  small 
hole  in  the  bottom  of  the  well  in  order  to  determine  how  much  farther 


COOK    COUNTY  125 

they  must  dig.  Water  was  encountered  which  rose  to  within  15  feet  of 
the  surface  and  the  contractors  could  not  finish  the  well.  It  had  not 
been  decided  at  that  time  how  the  matter  was  to  be  settled. 

The  analysis  of  the  water  from  the  well  nearest  the  river  is  given. 
The  water  has  an  unusually  high  mineral  content  for  a  drift  well  in  this 
locality  and  would  form  a  heavy  scale  when  used  for  boiler  purposes. 
The  large  amount  of  sodium  chloride  is  unusual  for  a  well  of  this  type. 
The  temperature  of  the  water  on  August  17,  1914,  was  10.7°  C.  or 
51.3°  F. 

An  1,890-foot  well  has  been  drilled  by  the  Chicago  and  North 
Western  Railway  Company  at  their  Norma  yards,  about  1.5  miles  west 
of  Desplaines.  The  geological  succession  as  determined  from  the 
driller's  log  and  17  samples  taken  at  long  intervals,  is  given  below.  The 
drillings  were  examined  by  Prof.  T.  E.  Savage. 

Record  of  G.  &  N.  W.  Ry.  well  at  Norma 
Elevation — 655±  feet 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 
Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  recent  deposits 

Clay,  soft  20  20 

Gravel 15  35 

Clay,  soft 17  52 

Gravel    13  65 

Gravel  and  mud 10  75 

Gravel    20  95 

Gravel  and  clay 17  112 

Gravel  23  135 

Gravel  and  mud 35  170 

Mud,  soft    21  191 

Mud,  hard 2  193 

Gravel    4  197 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran  limestone 

Dolomite,   gray,    subcrystalline 106  303 

Dolomite,  gray  to  brown,  subcrystalline 5  308 

Ordovician   system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,  bluish-gray,  calcareous 47  355 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  gray,    subcrystalline 35  390 

Dolomite,  gray    26  416 

Dolomite,  gray,   subcrystalline 264  680 

Dolomite,  gray;    a    few    clear    quartz    sand    grains 20  700 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  white  to  gray;  rounded  grains 30  730 

Sandstone,  like  the  preceding ]0  740 


126  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Record  of  G.  d  N.  W.  Ry.  well  at  Norma — Concluded 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 
Prairie  du  Chien  limestone 

Dolomite,  light  gray,  subcrystalline 230  970 

Sandstone,  fine,  gray;  mixed  with  redddish-brown  dolomite  26  996 

Dolomite,  brown  to  gray;   some  fine-grained,  sand 29  1025 

Cambrian  system 
"Potsdam"  group 

Sandstone,  gray;  rounded  quartz  grains  and  a  little  gray 

dolomite    225  1250 

Sandstone,  gray;   and  dolomite,  dark  gray  to  light  bluish  215  1465 

Sandstone  and  dolomite,  like  the  preceding 80  1545 

Sandstone,  light  gray  to  brown;  rounded  grains 265  1810 

Sandstone,  like  the  preceding,  but  a  little  more  reddish..  80  1890 

This  well  is  16  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface  and  finished  at 
8  inches.  It  is  completely  cased  from  the  surface  to  a  depth  of  740 
feet,  or  below  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  A  pumping  test  was  made  on 
November  6  and  7,  1913,  which  averaged  200  gallons  per  minute  over  a 
period  of  32  hours.  The  pumping  equipment  was  a  7. 5-inch  deep- well 
pump  placed  at  a  depth  of  107  feet.  The  water  level  before  the  test 
was  7  feet  below  the  surface,  but  lowered  quickly  to  57  feet  after  the 
pump  was  started.  It  varied  from  this  figure  to  62  feet,  depending  upon 
the  speed  of  the  pump,  which  ranged  from  25  to  29  strokes  per  minute. 

The  writer  has  not  seen  an  analysis  of  the  water,  but  the  railroad 
chemist  reports  it  fair  for  boiler  use. 

HUBBARD    WOODS 

The  North  Shore  Distilled  Water  and  Ice  Company  has  a  "Pots- 
dam" well  which  is  1,437  feet  in  depth.  The  exact  size  of  the  well  could 
not  be  ascertained,  but  it  is  probably  8  or  10  inches  in  diameter  at  the 
surface  and  5  or  6  inches  at  the  bottom.  It  is  pumped  continuously  at 
the  rate  of  140 ±  gallons  per  minute.  The  water  level  could  not  be 
measured. 

The  analysis  which  is  appended  indicates  a  water  with  a  consider- 
able mineral  content.  The  Niagaran  limestone  probably  contributes 
some  water  as  the  presence  of  hydrogen  sulphide  was  noted. 

PARK   RIDGE 

The  village  of  Park  Ridge  has  two  "Potsdam"  wells,  1,425  and 
1,804  feet  in  depth,  which  furnish  the  local  supply.  The  geological 
succession  is  indicated  by  the  following  driller's  log.  The  formations 
are  similar  to  those  at  Chicago,  but  they  are  at  a  less  depth  because  of 
the  dip  to  the  southeast. 


COOK    COUNTY  127 

Driller's  record  of  strata  at  Park  Ridge 
Elevation  660±  feet 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Soil,  clay,  sand,  and  gravel 110  110 

Limestone    (Niagaran)    150  260 

Shale,  bluish  gray   (Maquoketa)    240  500 

Limestone   (Galena-Platteville)    320  820 

Sandstone   ( St.  Peter) 135  955 

Limestone,  slightly  sandy   (Prairie  du  Chien) 295  1250 

Sandstone    ( "Potsdam" )    175  1425 

Shale,  light  greenish  gray 300  1725 

Sandstone    79  1804 

The  1,804-foot  well  is  12  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface  and 
completed  at  6  or  8  inches ;  the  other  well  has  a  surface  diameter  of  10 
inches.  The  wells  deliver  from  175  to  200  gallons  per  minute  each  with 
the  present  deep-well  epuipment. 

The  static  head  was  reported  to  be  95  feet  below  the  ground  sur- 
face on  August  4,  1914.  Park  Ridge  is  situated  on  the  northern  edge 
of  the  great  static-head  depression  area  in  Chicago.  The  drop  in  the 
static  head  is  very  rapid  from  the  village  as  the  area  of  heavy  pumpage 
to  the  southeast  is  approached.  This  decline  is  the  more  marked  when 
notice  is  taken  that  Park  Ridge  is  at  an  elevation  of  70  feet  higher  than 
the  Chicago  Stock  Yards  district. 

The  analyses  given  in  the  appendix  indicate  that  the  waters  contain 
considerable  mineral  matter  and  would  form  a  moderate  amount  of 
scale  if  used  in  boilers  untreated.  The  shallower  well  yields  the  harder 
water;  the  increase  of  the  alkali  salts  in  the  water  from  the  deeper  well 
is  noticeable. 

NORTHWESTERN     COOK    COUNTY 
GENERAL    STATEMENT 

The  Valparaiso  morainic  system  crosses  the  northwest  part  of  the 
county  and  consequently  the  drift  mantle  is  very  heavy.  Thicknesses  of 
200  feet  are  not  uncommon  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Barrington,  Palatine, 
and  in  Schaumberg  Township,  it  has  been  found  to  be  from  250  to  300 
feet  thick.  The  region  has  inadequate  drainage  so  that  the  heavy  sand 
and  gravel  mantle  forms  a  natural  collecting  reservoir.  Hence,  good 
shallow  wells  are  obtained  which  are  in  some  instances  under  sufficient 
pressure  to  flow. 

ARLINGTON    HEIGHTS 

The  village  of  Arlington  Heights  is  located  in  an  area  of  slight 
relief  east  of  the  terminal  moraine  and  at  a  lower  elevation.  The  drift 
is  from  128  to  150  feet  in  thickness. 


128  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  127-foot  drift  well  5  inches 
in  diameter  and  a  10-inch  well  somewhat  deeper.  The  larger  well  is 
reported  to  be  cased  to  rock  but  the  depth  is  not  known;  its  yield  is 
180,000  gallons  per  day.  The  water  level  in  both  wells  is  12  feet  below 
the  surface;  ground  elevation  is  700  ±  feet.  No  analyses  have  been 
made  by  the  State  Water  Survey. 

BARRINGTON 

The  village  of  Barrington  is  situated  in  the  area  of  the  Valparaiso 
morainic  system  and  consequently  the  drift  is  very  heavy ;  it  was  reported 
to  be  200 ±  feet  in  thickness  in  the  well  at  the  water  works. 

The  municipal  water  plant  is  operated  by  the  Public  Service  Com- 
pany of  Northern  Illinois.  The  supply  is  obtained  from  a  well  315  feet 
deep  which  penetrates  the  Niagaran  limstone  for  about  115  feet.  The 
surface  diameter  is  12  inches  and  the  diameter  is  probably  8  inches  at 
the  bottom.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  20  feet  below  the  surface  and 
recedes  about  5  feet  when  pumping  at  the  rate  of  400  gallons  per  minute. 
No  variation  in  the  water  level  between  summer  and  winter  has  been 
noted.     The  average  daily  consumption  in  1915  was  192,000  gallons. 

The  analysis  of  the  water  indicates  a  very  moderate  amount  of  total 
dissolved  solids.  The  carbonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium  predominate, 
but  some  sulphates  are  also  present. 

PALATINE 

In  the  village  of  Palatine  it  is  possible  to  secure  considerable  quan- 
tities of  good  water  from  wells  of  150  to  175  feet  in  depth.  The  water 
is  under  sufficient  hydrostratic  pressure  to  produce  flowing  wells  in  some 
places.  Thirty  years  ago  the  pressure  was  strong  enough  to  raise  the 
water  32  ±  feet  above  the  surface.  There  has  been  a  gradual  decline 
in  the  static  head  so  that  at  the  present  time  the  water  level  is  about 
even  with  the  ground  surface. 

Flowing  wells  have  been  reported  from  other  parts  of  Palatine 
Township,  for  instance,  at  the  Kitson  farm,  about  a  mile  west  of  Pala- 
tine, and  at  the  Englking  farm,  located  a  little  over  a  mile  northwest 
of  the  village.  At  Staples  Corner,  Palatine  Township,  wells  172  feet  in 
depth  ending  in  gravel  are  reported  to  have  a  static  head  of  9  feet 
above  the  surface. 

In  Schaumberg  Township,  which  adjoins  Palatine  Township  on  the 
south,  flowing  wells  have  been  obtained  from  the  drift  or  the  upper  part 
of  the  bed  rock,  especially  along  Salt  Creek  and  its  tributaries.  The 
collecting  area  for  this  shallow  well  water  is  believed  to  be  the  Valpa- 
raiso morainic  system,  which   lies   to  the   west   and  north   of    Palatine. 


DEKALB   COUNTY  129 

Parts  of  this  moraine  have  altitudes  100  to  120  feet  above  the  station 
at  Palatine.1 

Mr.  Charles  Wente,  a  well  driller  at  Palatine,  reports  that  bed  rock 
is  struck  in  the  village  at  170  to  175  feet.  The  water  in  most  cases 
comes  from  a  bed  of  gravel  overlying  the  limestone.  The  drilling  is 
usually  discontinued  after  the  bed  rock  has  been  penetrated  a  few  feet. 

The  village  water  supply  is  furnished  by  3  wells  which  are  each 
168.5  feet  in  depth.  It  is  not  known  whether  rock  was  penetrated,  but 
Leverett  gives  the  depth  as  152  feet  in  the  town  well.  The  diameters 
are  2,  6,  and  10  inches ;  the  casing  extends  to  the  bottom.  The  water 
level  is  about  level  with  the  ground  surface  when  the  wells  are  at  rest. 
The  2-inch  well  is  connected  under  ground  with  the  reservoir  so  that  it 
flows  about  36,000  gallons  per  day  when  the  other  two  wells  are  at  rest. 
The  level  in  the  smallest  well  is  19  feet  below  the  surface  when  the 
other  two  are  pumping  together  180  ±  gallons  per  minute.  The  average 
daily  consumption  is  about  100,000  gallons. 

The  water  is  moderately  mineralized,  containing  for  the  most  part 
the  carbonate  salts  of  calcium  and  magnesium,  but  no  hydrogen  sul- 
phide gas. 

DE  KALB 
Physiography 

De  Kalb  County  is  in  the  second  tier  of  counties  south  of  the  Wis- 
consin line  and  about  midway  between  Lake  Michigan  and  Mississippi 
River.  The  north  and  south  length  is  approximately  36  miles  and  the 
width  is  18  miles ;  the  total  area  is  638  square  miles. 

The  Bloomington  morainic  system  enters  the  county  in  the  north- 
eastern part  and  crosses  the  area  in  a  southwestward  direction.2  This 
belt  has  a  width  of  6  to  15  miles  and  is  characterized  by  ■  terminal- 
moraine  topography,  although  the  relief  is  slight.  The  elevations  along 
this  tract  average  50  to  100  feet  above  the  plain  to  the  northwest  and 
southeast.  Knolls  and  basins  with  differences  of  relief  from  10  to  40 
feet  are  numerous.  In  the  southwest  part  of  the  county  the  morainic 
belt  has  a  tendency  to  separate  into  two,  three,  or  four  ridges.  These 
ridges  average  a  mile  or  less  in  width  and  rise  about  30  to  50  feet  above 
the  intervening  depressions.  Outside  this  terminal-moraine  area,  the 
topography  of  the  remainder  of  the  county  is  gently  undulating.  Even 
the  erosion  along  the  stream  courses  has  caused  only  slight  relief. 

The  northern  part  of  the  county  drains  to  the  north  through  South 
Kishwaukee  River  and  tributaries.     The  inner  belt  of  the  Bloomington 


1  Leverett,     Frank,    The    Illinois    glacial    lobe:    U.     S.     Geol.    Survey    Mon.     38, 
p.    586,    1899. 

2  Leverett,    Frank,    Idem,    p.    246,    1899. 


130  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

morainic  system  enters  the  county  from  the  east,  just  southeast  of  Syca- 
more, crosses  the  area  in  a  southwestward  direction  in  the  form  of 
slight  curve,  and  passes  into  Lee  County  in  the  vicinity  of  Shabbona  and 
Pawpaw.  This  slightly  elevated  strip  forms  a  divide  between  the  waters 
of  the  South  Kishwaukee  and  the  eastward-flowing  tributaries  of  Fox 
River. 

Geology 

Almost  the  entire  county  is  covered  by  a  heavy  mantle  of  drift.  The 
average  thickness  in  22  borings  was  151  feet,  and  in  68  other  wells  that 
did  not  reach  rock,  the  average  depth  was  101  feet.  The  drift  in  the 
part  of  the  county  north  of  the  outer  terminal  belt,  which  comprises 
T.  42  N.,  Rs.  3  and  4  E.,  and  parts  of  adjoining  townships,  probably 
does  not  average  over  50  feet  thick.  This  would  tend  to  reduce  the 
average  thickness  for  the  remainder  of  the  county.  The  greater  part 
of  the  drift  is  composed  of  a  blue  till  containing  a  few  intercalated  beds 
of  sand  and  gravel.1 

The  boundaries  of  the  different  formations  which-  form  the  bed 
rock  are  not  definitely  knowm  in  this  county  because  of  the  heavy  mantle 
of  drift.  The  data  that  have  been  obtained  are  from  well  drillings,  and 
these  seem  to  indicate  that  the  Galena-Platteville  limestone  is  the  bed 
rock  formation  underlying  the  greater  part  of  the  county.  This  was  the 
first  formation  struck  in  the  wells  at  De  Kalb  and  at  Sycamore.  Like- 
wise at  Malta  the  bed  rock  given  in  the  driller's  log  is  210  feet  of 
limestone. 

It  is  probable  that  the  Maquoketa  shale  cuts  across  the  northeastern 
corner  of  the  county  as  a  narrow  strip  a  few  miles  wide.  The  strata 
dip  toward  the  east  and  south,  but  because  of  the  much  lower  altitudes 
in  the  southern  tier  of  townships,  it  is  possible  that  in  some  places  the 
St.  Peter  sandstone  is  the  bed  rock.  The  drill  record  from  Somonauk 
mentions  "sandstone  and  limestone"  as  underlying  the  surface  deposits. 
Near  Earlville  in  La  Salle  County,  less  than  3  miles  south  of  the  De 
Kalb  boundary,  a  well  record  gives  sandstone  as  the  bed  rock. 

The  information  concerning  the  deeper  strata  is  from  the  records 
at  De  Kalb  and  Sycamore.  The  same  geological  succession  is  present 
as  noted  in  other  wells  of  this  area  ;  however,  the  Prairie  du  Chien  lime- 
stone is  thicker  and  not  so  sandy  as  at  Rockford  and  Belvidere.  The 
series  of  strata  is  more  closely  comparable  to  that  found  in  the  wells 
to  the  east. 

i  Leverett,    Frank,  op.   cit.  p.   fiOO. 


DEKALB    COUNTY  131 

Underground  Waters 
sources 

Although  the  mantle  of  drift  is  very  heavy  in  this  county  it  does  not 
form  so  good  a  collecting  reservoir  for  the  rainfall  as  does  the  deposit 
overlying  the  area  to  the  east  and  north,  because  the  drift  in  De  Kalb 
County  as  a  whole  is  less  sandy  than  that  in  the  counties  to  the  north 
and  east.  This  does  not  mean,  however,  that  no  intercalated  sand  beds 
are  found  in  the  drift  of  this  area. 

The  shallow  wells  in  the  northwest  townships  where  the  drift  is 
thin  are  usually  not  over  50  feet  deep.  Around  De  Kalb  and  Sycamore 
the  shallow  wells  average  100  feet  in  depth  and  obtain  water  from  sand 
beds  in  the  drift.  It  is  in  most  places  possible  to  obtain  10  to  25  gallons 
per  minute  from  wells  3  to  4  inches  in  diameter.  The  water  level  is 
from  15  to  60  feet  below  the  surface.  Most  of  the  farm  wells  in  the 
remainder  of  the  County  are  over  100  feet  in  depth  and  many  are  con- 
tinued to  the  bed  rock,  which  in  some  places  is  at  depths  of  over 
200  feet. 

Flowing  drift  wells  are  rare,  but  they  have  occasionally  been  ob- 
tained along  the  bases  of  terminal  moraines  that  act  as  collecting  areas. 
A  few  of  these  have  been  struck  in  the  southeastern  part  of  T.  37  N., 
R.  3  E.  The  terminal  moraine  to  the  northwest  is  probably  the  collect- 
ing area.  A  few  flowing  wells  have  also  been  obtained  along  South 
Kishwaukee  River  in  the  vicinity  of   Sycamore. 

The  larger  supplies  of  water,  as  for  the  cities  and  villages,  are 
obtained  from  wells  which  penetrate  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  or  lower 
strata.  These  range  from  500  to  1,330  feet  in  depth  and  yield  sufficient 
quantities  of  good  water. 

There  are  no  flowing  deep  wells  in  the  county,  although  the  level  in 
the  new  well  at  Sycamore  is  but  17  feet  below  the  surface.  No  exact 
information  could  be  obtained  regarding  the  lowering  of  the  water  table. 
Mr.  Russell,  City  Engineer  at  De  Kalb,  said  that  the  water  table  had 
not  lowered  over  a  foot  per  year.  The  present  level  in  the  "Potsdam" 
wells  is  104  feet  below  the  surface.  Mr.  Leverett  in  his  report  of  1800 
gave  the  level  in  the  St.  Peter  well  at  about  65  feet  below  the  surface  ; 
this  well  has  since  been  deepened  to  the  "Potsdam"  strata  so  that  it  is 
not  possible  to  determine  the  static  head  of  the  St.  Peter  water.  There 
has  been  very  little  if  any  lowering  of  the  St.  Peter  static  head  at  Syca- 
more in  the  past  ten  years. 

CHEMICAL    CHARACTER 

All  of  the  waters  analyzed  are  from  the  deeper  wells.  They  are 
only  moderately  mineralized  and  are  used  for  boiler  purposes.  The 
analyses   from  the  different  localities  are  appended. 


132  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

LOCAL    SUPPLIES 
DE    KALB 

Excellent  data  concerning  the  underground  formations  at  De  Kalb 
have  been  obtained  from  the  examination  of  two  sets  of  drillings  from 
wells  which  are  over  a  mile  apart.  The  two  records  are  from  wells  at 
the  city  waterworks  and  at  the  east  plant  of  the  American  Steel  and 
Wire  Company.  The  records  are  essentially  the  same,  except  that  the 
St.  Peter  sandstone  is  about  60  feet  thicker  in  the  well  of  the  American 
Steel  and  Wire  Company.  The  record  of  the  city  well  only  is  here 
published.  The  dolomite  found  in  the  upper  part  of  the  St.  Peter  sand- 
stone between  580  and  595  feet  is  unusual  at  this  position,  but  a  similar 
thickness  of  dolomite  was  found  intercalated  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
St.  Peter  in  the  city  well  at  practically  the  same  depth.  In  Missouri  and 
Arkansas  calcareous  beds  are  in  places  developed  in  a  series  of  sand- 
stones, the  topmost  of  which  is  the  typical  St.  Peter. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  a  heavy  sandstone  which  is  overlain 
by  glauconiferous  dolomite  is  struck  at  1,140  feet.  Such  a  glauconiferous 
bed  overlying  a  heavy  sandstone  was  found  at  Rockford,  Dixon,  Batavia, 
Lake  Forest,  Joliet,  and  Chicago. 

The  city  water  supply  is  furnished  by  three  wells,  each  of  which  is 
practically  1,300  feet  in  depth.  There  is  also  an  old  800-foot  well  that 
is  rarely  used.  The  well  drilled  in  1912  has  156  feet  of  16-inch  O.  D. 
surface  pipe  and  is  finished  at  8  inches.  This  well  tested  over  300  gal- 
lons per  minute  in  1912.  The  other  two  wells  are  probably  somewhat 
smaller.  All  the  deep  wells  are  equipped  with  electrically  driven,  deep- 
well  pumps.  The  average  daily  pumpage  in  1913  was  363,500  gallons. 
The  water  level  in  April,  1912,  was  104  feet  below  the  surface;  no  recent 
measurements  have  been  made,  but  Mr.  Russell,  City  Engineer,  believes 
the  recession  has  been  less  than  a  foot  per  year. 

The  water  level  in  the  new  1,330-foot  well  of  the  American  Steel 
and  Wire  Company  is  128.5  feet  below  the  surface.  This  level  is  com- 
parable to  that  at  the  city  well  when  it  is  considered  that  the  ground 
elevation  at  the  Steel  Company  is  about  25  feet  above  that  at  the  city 
waterworks.  A  3-hour  pumping  test  made  on  the  1,330-foot  well  shortly 
after  it  was  completed  gave  a  yield  of  300  gallons  per  minute.  The  water 
level  receded  58.5  feet,  or  to  a  depth  of  about  187  feet.  This  well  has 
a  16-inch  O.  D.  surface  pipe  and  is  finished  at  about  8  inches.  There 
are  two  other  wells  owned  by  this  company  which  are  approximately  800 
feet  in  depth.     The  yield  from  each  is  about  100  gallons  per  minute. 

The  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company  has  a  1 , 003- 
foot  well  that  furnishes  water  for  the  locomotives. 


DB  KALB   COUNTY 


133 


Log  of  the  Be  Kalb  City  Well  in  8E.  U k  sec.  22,  T.  Jt0  N.,  R.  4  E. 

Elevation — 865 ±  feet 

Completed  April  15,   1912 

Generalized   section 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent 

Clay,  sand,  and  gravel 150  150 

Ordovician  system 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  light-gray  to  gray,  subcrystalline 374  524 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  well  rounded,  colorless  quartz  sand 281  805 

Sandstone,  light  reddish-brown  in  color  due  to  the  cement- 
ing material   30  835 

Prairie  du  Chien  limestone 

Chert,  siliceous  oolite,  and  reddish-brown  shale 45  880 

Dolomite,  light-gray  to  gray,  subcrystalline    125  1005 

Dolomite,  light-brown  or  brownish-gray,  finely  crystalline, 
containing    an    occasional    speck    of    a    green    mineral, 

probably  glauconite    10  1015 

Dolomite,    containing   a   noticeable    amount    of   very   fine 

quartz  sand,  besides  minute  grains  of  glauconite.     The 

dolomite    is    reddish-brown    and    finely    crystalline....         30  1045 

Dolomite,  sandy,  light  reddish-brown.     The  sand  consists 

of    fine,    angular    or    subangular,    quartz    grains.      The 

dark-green  glauconite  grains  are  conspicuous 25  1070 

Sandstone,  dolomitic,  light-green  due  to  the  presence  of  a 
large  amount  of  glauconite.     The  sand  consists  of  fine, 

subangular  or  angular,  quartz  grains 20  1090 

Shale,  red,  contains  some  dolomite,  glauconite,  and  quartz 

sand    5  1095 

Sandstone,  light  reddish-green  to  green 25  1120 

Sandstone,  slightly  dolomitic  and  glauconitic.     The  sand 
consists  of  fine,  subangular  to  slightly  rounded,  colorless 

quartz   grains    60  1180 

Cambrian  system 
"Potsdam"  group 

Sandstone,  fine  to  medium  in  size,  rather  well  rounded, 
colorless,   quartz   sand    126  1306 

The  last  sample  contains  some  pieces  of  a  green  or  greenish-gray  shale,  which 
seems  to  indicate  that  this  shale  was  struck  at  a  depth  of  about  1306  feet. 


GENOA 


The  municipal  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  1,500-foot  well  in 
a  "Potsdam"  sandstone.     The  well  has  a  surface  diameter  of  12  inches 


134  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

and  is  finished  at  6  inches.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  50  feet  below  the 
surface  and  a  24-hour  pumping  test  at  the  rate  of  200  gallons  per  minute 
failed  to  lower  the  level  more  than  2  feet.  The  surface  elevation  is 
about  825  feet.     The  average  daily  consumption  is  50,000  gallons. 

The  water  is  reported  to  have  a  slight  sulphur  odor  and  taste  when 
first  pumped.  The  analysis  of  the  water  indicates  the  presence  of 
calcium  and  magnesium  carbonate,  but   not   in   excessive   amounts. 

HINCKLEY 

The  village  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  708-foot  well  in  the 
St.  Peter.  The  surface  diameter  is  12  inches,  and  it  is  probably  fin- 
ished at  8  or  10  inches.  The  water  level  in  1913  on  the  completion  of 
the  well  was  4  feet  below  the  surface.  In  a  pumping  test  of  about  an 
hour  at  the  rate  of  250  gallons  per  minute,  the  level  lowered  24  feet. 
The  surface  elevation  is  approximately  740  feet. 

The  following  succession  was  reported  in  a  well  at  a  nearby  tile 
factory :  80  feet  of  drift,  mainly  clay,  about  300  feet  of  limestone,  and 
the  remaining  depth  sandstone.  The  appended  analysis  indicates  a  rather 
soft  water  when  the  depth  of  the  well  is  considered. 

KIRKLAND 

The  village  supply  is  obtained  from  a  shallow  well,  the  exact  depth 
of  which  is  not  known. 


A  driller's  log  has  been  obtained  of  the  well  owned  by  the  Chicago 
and  North  Western  Railway  Company  at  Malta. 

Record  of  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  well  at  Malta 

Elevation — 915±  feet 

(Authority:    J.  P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Company,  Chicago) 

Thickness  Depth 

Description  of  strata                                          Feet  Feet 

Clay,  sand,  and  gravel 245  245 

Limestone     210  455 

Limestone,  sandy    2  457 

Sandstone    18  475 

Shale,  sandy   2  477 

Shale,  gray    23  500 

Sandstone  ( [St.  Peter)    321  821 

Marl,  red 4  825 

Sandstone    25  850 

Marl,  red 4  854 

Marl  and  limestone  streaks 66  920 

Sandstone    50  970 

Shale    '. 5  975 

Marl,  red   35  1010. 


DE  KALB    COUNTY  135 

SANDWICH 

The  geological  succession  at  Sandwich,  as  given  in  the  driller's  log, 
indicates  a  sandy  horizon  about  20  feet  thick  below  the  drift.  There  is 
also  present  at  a  depth  of  397  feet  a  sandstone  which  is  99  feet  in  thick- 
ness. It  is  probable  that  this  latter  sandstone  is  the  St.  Peter,  although 
if  this  is  correct  a  very  steep  dip  is  indicated  between  Somonauk  and 
Sandwich. 

Log  of  the  city  well  at  Sandwich 

Elevation— 667±  feet 

(Authority:  J.  P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Co.,  Chicago) 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Clay,  sand,  and  gravel 131  131 

Soft,    "shelly"   rock 4  135 

Sandstone,   fine;    in   streaks 2  137 

Soft,  "shelly"  rock 1  138 

Sandy  limestone  14  152 

Limestone,  brown,   "shelly" 2  154 

Limestone,  hard 8  162 

Limestone    128  290 

Marl,   red 5  295 

Shale,  green 102  397 

"Quartz"  rock 18  415 

Sandstone    181  596 

Shale 4  600 

The  source  of  the  municipal  water  supply  at  Sandwich  is  three  wells, 
two  of  which  are  120  feet  in  depth  and  8  inches  in  diameter;  the  third 
well,  which  was  drilled  in  1911,  is  600  feet  deep  and  is  12  inches  in 
diameter  at  the  surface.  The  water  level  is  reported  to  be  17  feet 
below  the  surface.  The  two  shallow  wells  flowed  until  1910  when  it 
became  necessary  to  pump  them.  These  120-foot  wells  are  only  2 . 5 
feet  apart. 

SOMONAUK 

The  St.  Peter  sandstone  seems  either  to  underlie  the  drift  at  this 
locality  or  to  be  covered  by  only  a  very  thin  capping  of  Galena-Platte- 
ville  limestone.     The  record  of  the  strata  in  the  village  well  is  given. 


136  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

Log  of  village  well  at  Somonauk 

Elevation— 690  ±  feet 

(Authority:     J.  P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Co.,  Chicago) 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Soil,  "hard  pan,"  stones,  and  gravel ?  ? 

Sandstone  and  limestone ?  106 

Sandstone,  white   (St.  Peter) . . 46  152 

Shale,  sandy    21  173 

Shale,  "flinty"  52  225 

Limestone 235  460 

Shale ■ 10  470 

Limestone 32  502 


SYCAMORE 

The  geological  succession  at  Sycamore  down  to  a  depth  of  1,000 
feet  is  indicated  by  the  accompanying  log.  The  St.  Peter  sandstone  has 
a  thickness  of  280  feet  and  is  the  main  water-bearing  formation  for  the 
city  wells.  It  is  very  probable,  however,  that  considerable  water  is  also 
obtained  from  the  overlying  limestones. 

The  city  waterworks  is  located  near  the  business  section,  but  the 
well  drilled  in  1914  is  located  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  north  of 
the  old  station.  The  two  old  wells  are  about  900  feet  deep  and  are 
about  20  feet  apart.  The  diameters  are  10  inches  at  the  surface  and  6 
inches  at  the  bottom.  Well  No.  1  has  170  feet  of  surface  casing  and 
well  No.  2  has  192  feet.  The  yield  per  well  ranges  up  to  275  gallons 
per  minute. 

The  water  level  at  rest  in  1907  was  47  feet  below  the.  surface;  no 
other  measurements  have  been  made.  In  the  well  drilled  in  1914  the 
water  level  is  only  17  feet  below  the  surface,  but  the  ground  elevation  is 
about  30  feet  below  that  at  the  old  wells.  This  would  seem  to  indicate 
that  there  probably  has  been  only  a  very  slight  lowering  of  the  water 
table  in  the  past  ten  years. 

Log  of  City  Well,  Sycamore,  NE.  1/4  sec.  32,  T.  J,l  N.,  R.  5  E. 

Elevation— 810±  feet 

(Drilled  in  1914  by  W.  L.  Thorne  &  Co.,  Platteville,  Wis.) 

Generalized  section 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene   and   Recent 
Glacial  till ;  soil,  sand,  and  gravel 150  150 


DUPAGE    COUNTY  137 

Log  of  city  well,  Sycamore — Concluded 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Ordovician  system 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  gray    355  505 

Dolomite,  somewhat  shaly 30  535 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  colorless,  rounded  quartz  sand 280  815 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Dolomite,  gray 95  910 

Dolomite,  gray;   some  glauconite  grains 92  1002 

The  analysis  of  the  water  from  well  No.  1  is  appended.  There  is 
no  great  amount  of  dissolved  mineral  matter,  and  the  water  is  used  for 
boiler  purposes.  Only  a  very  slight  trace  of  hydrogen  suphide  was 
noted,  but  at  times  it  is  reported  to  be  more  noticeable.  The  temper- 
ature of  the  water  direct  from  the  pump  was  51.5°  F.,  which  is  very  low 
for  waters  from  this  depth.  It  is  therefore  probable  that  considerable 
additions  are  received  from  waters  in  the  upper  strata. 

The  pumping  equipment  had  not  yet  been  installed  for  the  recently 
drilled  well,  but  a  few  hours'  test  gave  a  yield  of  300  gallons  per  minute 
and  a  recession  of  49  feet  in  the  water  level.  This  well  is  1,002  feet  in 
depth,  cased  with  143  feet  of  12-inch  pipe,  and  finished  at  6  inches.  The 
total  cost  of  drilling  and  casing  was  $2,650. 

DU  PAGE  COUNTY 

Physiography 

Du  Page  County  is  situated  immediately  west  of  the  middle  portion 
of  Cook  County  and  has  a  total  area  of  345  square  miles.  The  geology 
and  physical  features  of  the  greater  part  of  this  area  is  described  in 
detail  by  A.  C.  Trowbridge.1 

The  entire  county  is  overlain  by  a  heavy  deposit  of  drift,  the  geo- 
logic age  of  which  is  comparatively  recent.  This  mantle  has  essentially 
obliterated  the  topography  of  the  underlying  bed  rock. 

A  terminal  moraine  extends  southward  across  the  western  part  of 
the  county,  the  ridge  having  a  width  varying  from  less  than  a  mile  to 
nearly  three  miles.  This  strip  of  higher  land  extends  southward  from 
a  point  just  west  of  Bartlett,  Cook  County.  The  moraine  passes  through 
the  eastern  half  of  West  Chicago  and  two  and  a  half  miles  north  of 
Naperville  becomes  indistinguishable  from  the  ground  moraine.2  The 
average  elevation  along  the  crest  is  from  780  to  800  feet,  or  about  20 

1  Trowbridge,   A.   C,   Geology  and   Geography   of   the   Wheaton   Quadrangle:   111. 
State   G-eol.    Survey   Bull.    19,    1912. 

2  Trowbridge,  A.  C,  Idem,  p.  21. 


138  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

to  30  feet  higher  than  the  surface  of  the  ground  moraine  to  the  east, 
and  30  to  40  feet  above  its  surface  to  the  west 

The  remainder  of  the  county  outside  of  the  strip  of  terminal 
moraine  is  covered  by  the  ground  moraine.  The  topography  on  the 
whole  is  of  an  undulating  type,  consisting  of  low  elevations  with  gentle 
slopes,  ill-defined  ridges,  and  broad,  shallow  depressions.  The  relief  is 
slight,  probably  not  averaging  over  30  feet,  although  the  difference  in 
elevation  between  the  East  Branch  of  Du  Page  River  and  the  bordering 
uplands  some  miles  away  is  over  100  feet.  The  valley  of  this  stream  is 
about  50  feet  deep  and  is  the  most  noticeable  topographic  feature  in 
the  area.  Small  areas  with  a  relief  of  less  than  10  feet  are  found  in  a 
few  places.  Most  of  these  level  tracts  are  surrounded  by  areas  char- 
acterized by  the  undulatory  topography. 

The  major  drainage  of  the  county  is  effected  to  the  south  through 
the  East  and  West  branches  of  Du  Page  River  and  Salt  Creek.  All 
these  streams  are  tributaries  of  Desplaines  River.  Along  the  extreme 
western  border  of  the  county  a  few  small  creeks  drain  westward  to 
Fox  River.  The  entire  area,  like  most  regions  overlain  by  recent  glacial 
deposits,  is  poorly  drained ;  marshes,  swampy  depressions,  and  even 
small  ponds  existed  originally  in  considerable  numbers,  but  lately  the 
drainage  has  been  much  improved  by  tiling  and  ditching.  In  a  region 
of  this  nature,  where  drainage  lines  are  poorly  developed  and  the  de- 
posit of  porous,  surface  material  is  heavy,  the  run-off  is  not  great,  and 
the  larger  part  of  the  rainfall  sinks  into  the  ground,  bringing  about 
conditions  very  favorable  for  shallow  wells. 

Geology 

The  entire  area,  except  for  small  outcrops  of  the  bed  rock  at 
Naperville  and  Elmhurst,  is  covered  by  a  mantle  of  drift,  which  in  many 
places  is  over  100  feet  thick.  The  greatest  thicknesses  appear  to  occur 
in  Bloomingdale  Township,  which  is  the  middle  one  of  the  northern 
tier,  where  records  of  nearly  180  feet  to  bed  rock  have  been  obtained. 
The  drift  thins  gradually  to  the  east.  The  thickness  at  Wheaton  is  from 
90  to  105  feet;  in  the  Glen  Ellyn  village  well  and  at  Downers  Grove 
it  is  about  100  feet. 

The  bed  rock  formation  underlying  this  region  is  exposed  at  only 
two  places,  Naperville  and  Elmhurst.  The  quarries  at  these  localities 
where  it  is  known  as  the  Niagaran  limestone,  show  that  it  is  a  gray 
dolomitic  limestone.  Well  drillings  in  other  parts  of  the  county  have 
indicated  that  this   formation  is  the  bed  rock.     Dr.  Weller1   has  shown 


1  Weller,    Stuart,    A     peculiar   Devonian    deposit    in    northeastern    Illinois:    Jour 
Geol.,    vol.    8,    p.    18.3,    18!)!). 


DIT    PAGE    COUNTY  139 

that  deposits  younger  than  the  Niagaran  limestone  at  one  time  covered 
this  area,  by  his  discovery  of  Upper  Devonian  shale  in  crevices  of  the 
Niagaran  limestone  in  the  quarry  at  Elmhurst.  It  is  probable  that  the 
greater  part  of  this  younger  formation,  except  for  such  remnants  favor- 
ably situated  for  preservation,  had  been  removed  by  erosion  before  the 
deposition  of  the  glacial  drift.  However,  the  glacier  itself  may  have 
removed  much  of  this  soft  deposit. 

The  deeper-lying  formations  explored  by  drillings  are  indicated  in 
the  records  from  Bensenville,  Elmhurst,  West  Chicago,  and  Downers 
Grove.  The  general  succession,  except  for  variations  in  depths  and 
thicknesses,  is  similar  to  that  found  in  other  parts  of  northeastern  Illi- 
nois. The  strata  have  a  southeastward  dip  of  about  10  feet  per  mile. 
Therefore,  provided  there  are  no  differences  in  surface  elevations,  the 
formations  will  be  nearer  the  surface  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  county 
than  in  the  southeast  corner. 

Underground  Waters 

SOURCES 

The  mantle  of  drift  covering  the  county  forms  a  good  collecting 
reservoir  for  the  rainfall.  It  is  therefore  possible  in  most  parts  of  the 
area  to  obtain  good  shallow  wells  either  from  the  drift  or  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  underlying  bed  rock ;  especially  is  this  true  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county,  where  the  surface  elevations  are  about  100  feet  lower 
than  the  terminal  morainic  area  a  few  miles  to  the  west.  The  drift  at 
Elmhurst  and  Hinsdale  is  not  thick,  but  the  underlying  limestone  con- 
tains water-bearing  crevices. 

Wells  1,000  or  more  feet  deep  have  been  sunk  at  Naperville,  Down- 
ers Grove,  and  Bensenville.  Wells  in  any  part  of  the  county  exceeding 
1,650  feet  in  depth'  will  be  strong  producers.  Although  deeper  wells 
have  been  drilled,  in  most  cases  it  has  not  been  necessary. 

A  great  number  of  deep  wells  has  not  been  drilled  in  the  county, 
so  that  there  are  very  few  data  in  regard  to  the  static  head.  Further, 
the  walls  in  some  of  the  older  wells  may  have  caved  so  badly  that  the 
level  is  only  that  of  the  shallow,  underground  water  table  and  not  the 
true  static  head  of  the  deep  artesian  waters. 

The  static  head  of  the  "Potsdam"  waters  at  the  Chicago,  Milwau- 
kee, and  St.  Paul  wells  at  Bensenville  was  60  feet  below  the  surface  in 
1913  or  at  an  altitude  of  620  feet,  as  the  curb  elevation  is  about  680 
feet.  At  Downers  Grove  the  water  level  is  90  feet  below  the  surface  or 
at  an  altitude  of  approximately  627  feet ;  this  compares  favorably  with 


140  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

the  head  at  Bensenville.  The  static  head  of  the  St.  Peter  water  at  Elm- 
hurst  was  36  feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an  altitude  of  about  641  feet. 
However,  there  is  a  possibility  that  this  may  not  be  the  true  St.  Peter 
head  but  modified  by  that  of  the  water  from  the  bed  rock  or  Niagaran 
limestone  which  in  this  locality  contains  large  amounts. 

The  water  level  in  the  1,375-foot  well  at  Naperville  is  only  14  feet 
below  the  surface,  but  it  is  known  that  a  large  stream  of  water  enters 
the  well  at  45  feet  below  the  surface.  It  is  therefore  probable  that  the 
static  head  refers  to  the  Niagaran  limestone  water  and  not  to  that  of 
the  deeper  strata.     The  curb  elevation  is  about  677  feet. 

The  only  information  on  the  recession  of  the  water  table  was  ob- 
tained at  Bensenville.  In  1911  the  static  head  of  the  first  well  drilled 
was  41  feet  below  the  surface.  The  final  wells  completed  in  1913  had  a 
static  head  of  60  feet  below  the  surface  which  is  a  lowering  of  about  19 
feet.     The  water  levels  at  present  are  not  known. 

CHEMICAL    CHARACTER 

The  mineral  content  of  the  waters  at  the  different  localities  is  indi- 
cated in  the  appended  analyses.  There  is  usually  considerable  variation 
in  the  chemical  character  of  the  water  from  the  drift  and  Niagaran 
limestone.  In  general,  the  waters  are  rather  hard  and  the  predominating 
salts  are  the  bicarbonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium,  with  often  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  magnesium  sulphate.  A  soft  water  has  been  ob- 
tained at  Bensenville  by  casing  to  a  depth  of  about  1,250  feet  or  to  about 
the  top  of  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone,  as  shown  in  the  description  of 
the  well  waters  at  that  locality. 

LOCAL   SUPPLIES 
BENSENVILLE 

The  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  and  St.  Paul  Railway  Company  has  drilled 
at  least  four  deep  wells  at  their  Godfrey  yards  near  Bensenville.  The 
strata  penetrated  are  indicated  by  the  following  log  which  has  been  com- 
piled from  the  driller's  record. 

Log  of  Chicago,  Milwaukee  cG  St.  Paul  Railway  Co.  well  No.  2,  Bensenville 

Elevation— 680  feet 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent  deposits 

Surface  sand,  gravel  and  clay 77  77 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran   limestone 

Limestone    193  270 


DUPAGE    COUNTY  141 

Log  of  C.  M.  &  St.  P.  Ry.  Co.,  Bensenville — Concluded 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 
Ordovician  system 

Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,   blue 200  470 

Galena-Platteville   limestone 

Limestone    100  570 

Limestone,  contains  crevices  and  "caves"  slightly 15  585 

Limestone    220  805 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone    245  1050 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Limestone,  sandy 115  1165 

"Red-Rock"    40  1205 

Limestone 25  1230 

Shale 2  1232 

Limestone    28  1260 

Cambrian  system 

"Potsdam"  group 

Sandstone    200  1460 

Limestone  and  shale 240  1700 

Sandstone    100  1800 

Limestone    16  1816 

Sandstone,  brown   89  1905 

Sandstone,   red    140  2045 

Sandstone,  hard,  red 139  2184 

Sandstone,  soft,  white 5  2189 

Sandstone,  hard,  red 12  2201 

Water  was  desired  of  which  the  mineral  content  was  sufficiently  low 
to  permit  its  use  in  locomotives,  and  hence  in  drilling  the  first  well, 
samples  of  water  were  collected  at  the  different  horizons  and  analyzed. 
The  waters  from  depths  below  1,450  feet  were  found  to  contain  smaller 
amounts  of  scale-forming  solids  than  those  from  the  upper  strata. 
The  analyses  made  by  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  and  St.  Paul  Railway 
Company  of  the  waters  from  the  different  depths  are  given  in  Table  9. 
Another  analysis  made  by  the  State  Water  Survey  is  given  in  the  appen- 
dix. It  is  seen  that  the  waters  from  the  greater  depths  are  character- 
ized by  the  alkali  salts,  whereas  the  bicarbonates  of  calcium  and  mag- 
nesium and  magnesium  sulphate  are  present  in  only  small  amounts. 
These  latter  scale- forming  salts  are  present  in  the  waters  from  the  lower 
Prairie  du  Chien  group,  St.  Peter  sandstone,  and  the  upper  strata.  There 
is  a  noticeable  increase  in  the  mineral  content  of  the  waters  below  depths 
of  about  2,000  feet ;  the  alkali  chlorides,  particularly  of  sodium,  occur 
in  considerable  amounts. 

These  wells  were  drilled  to  a  depth  of  about  2,250  feet  and  cased 
to  about  1,250  feet    which    is    just    above    the    first    sandstone    of    the 


142  AETESIAN    WATEKS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

"Potsdam"  group.  Well  No.  2  has  a  depth  of  2,201  feet;  the  surface 
casing  is  12  inches  in  diameter  and  extends  to. a  depth  of  251  feet,  below 
which  a  6-inch  casing  extends  to  a  depth  of  1,231  feet  where  it  is 
sealed  with  hydraulic  cement.  The  diameter  of  the  remainder  of  the 
hole  is  6  inches  or  slightly  less.  The  final  test  on  well  No.  2  was  made 
April  15,  1913,  and  170  gallons  per  minute  were  obtained.  The  water 
level  at  the  commencement  of  pumping  was  61  feet  below  the  surface 
and  at  the  end  of  7  hours  continuous  operation  it  had  lowered  to  92  feet. 
Practically  the  same  test  results  were  obtained  from  the  other  wells. 

The  wells  at  Bensenville  are  somewhat  similar  to  those  of  the  Chi- 
cago and  North  Western  Railway  Company  at  Proviso,  about  4  miles  to 
the  southeast.     The  wells  at  Proviso  are  cased  to  greater  depths. 

The  analyses  in  Table  9  indicate  that  softer  waters  are  present  in  this 
locality  at  the  lower  horizons.  However,  the  supply  is  limited,  so  that 
wells  cased  to  depths  of  1,  250  feet  do  not  deliver  so  large  quantities  as 
wells  in  which  the  upper  waters  have  not  been  shut  out. 

DOWNERS    GROVE 

The  geological  succession  at  Downers  Grove  is  indicated  by  the 
following  driller's  log. 

Log   of   city   well   at   Downers    Grove 

Elevation — 717±   feet 

(Authority:  J.  P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Co.,  Chicago) 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Clay,  sand,  and  gravel .  .  .  . 83  83 

Limestone 187  270 

Shale    65  335 

Limestone 45  380 

Shale 100  480 

Limestone 337  817 

Sandstone    (St.  Peter) 223  1040 

Marl  and  shale,  "caves" 20  1060 

Limestone 55  1115 

Marl,   red 23  1138 

Limestone 152  1290 

Sandstone 43  1 333 

Shale    75  1408 

Limestone,  sandy 27  1435 

Sandstone,  hard 60  1495 

Sandstone,  soft .  ■ 110  1605 

Limestone  and  shale  25  1630 

Shale    40  1670 

Shale,  sandy  85  1755 

Shale,  blue;  streaks  of  lime 85  1840 

Limestone    60  1900 

Shale    .    5  1905 

Sandstone    116  2021 


DUPAGE    COUNTY 


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144  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  deep  well  is  10  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface  and  6  inches  at 
the  bottom;  the  approximate  yield  is  175  gallons  per  minute.  The 
water  level  at  rest  in  1913  was  90  feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an  altitude 
of  approximately  727 ±  feet;  the  effects  of  pumping  are  not  known. 

There  is  also  a  250-foot  Niagaran  limestone  well  that  delivers  about 
75  gallons  per  minute.  The  temperature  of  the  water  was  50.2°F.  after 
it  had  passed  through  the  deep-well  pump. 

The  analysis  of  the  shallow- well  water  is  given  in  the  appendix 
and  indicates  a  notable  amount  of  hardness.  There  is  no  analysis  of  the 
deep-well   water. 

The  Chicago,  Burlington,  and  Quincy  Railroad  Company  has  a 
150-foot  well  12  inches  in  diameter,  which  is  cased  about  77  feet  to  bed 
rock.  The  yield  on  a  test  was  150  gallons  per  minute  and  the  average 
pumpage  is  100  gallons.  The  water  level  is  62  feet  below  the  surface ; 
the  effects  of  pumping  are  not  known. 

ELMHURST 

The  city  of  Elmhurst  completed  a  950-foot  well  in  1915.  Samples 
of  drillings  were  collected  at  short  intervals  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
Emerson,  consulting  engineer  for  the  city.  These  have  been  studied  by 
the  writer  and  a  generalized  section  compiled  from  the  detailed  record  is 
given  below. 

This  well  has  about  75  feet  of  18-inch  surface  pipe  and  93  feet  of 
10-inch,  the  bottom  of  which  is  at  a  depth  of  633  feet.  A  pumping  test 
yielded  152  gallons  per  minute  when  a  depth  of  301  feet  had  been 
reached;  the  head  of  water  dropped  from  27  feet  below  the  surface  to 
29  feet. 

Below  the  depth  of  538  feet,  crevices  were  found  in  the  Galena- 
Platteville  limestone  through  which  water  was  escaping  as  shown  by  a 
15-foot  drop  in  water  level  at  that  depth.  To  shut  these  off  93  feet  of 
casing,  sealed  at  the  top  and  bottom,  was  placed  at  this  horizon,  which 
increased  the  head  8  feet. 

A  pumping  test  made  after  the  well  was  completed  and  before  the 
casing  was  placed  gave  a  yield  of  325  gallons  per  minute ;  the  water 
dropped  from  44.8  feet  below  the  surface  to  53  feet.  Another  test 
made  after  the  cervices  were  cased  off  gave  a  yield  of  410  gallons  per 
minute  for  8  hours;  the  water  dropped  from  34.6  feet  to  45.5  feet. 

The  analyses  taken  at  the  various  depths  as  given  in  the  appendix 
are  very  similar.  A  large  amount  of  this  water  is  from  the  Niagaran 
limestone.    The  absorbing  area  is  the  higher  region  to  the  west. 


DUPAGE  COUNTY  145 

Log  of  Elmhurst  city  well  in  sec.  1,  T.  39  N.,  R.  11  E. 

Elevation— 677±   feet 

Generalized   section 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene   and   Recent 

Soil,  sand,  and  gravel  (No  samples) .... 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran  limestone 

Dolomite,  light  gray  to  gray,  subcrystalline 180+  260 

Ordovician  system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,  dolomitic,  greenish  gray 80  340 

Dolomite,  gray 10  350 

Shale,  gray,  darker  in  color  than  the  shale  between  260 

and  340   100  450 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  light  gray  to  cream-colored  gray,  subcrystalline       340  790 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,    colorless,   rounded    quartz    sand    averaging    .3 

to  .5  mm.  in  diameter 100  890- 

Prairie  du  Chien  limestone 

Dolomite,  light  gray,  subcrystalline,  some  sand  and  white 

chert    68  958 

Still  in  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone  at  completion  of  well 

eola 

The  Chicago,  Burlington,  and  Quincy  Railroad  Company  has  a 
165-foot  well  which  furnishes  a  good  boiler  water.  The  12  inch  casing 
extends  to  bed  rock  at  a  depth  of  131  feet.  The  water  level  is  25  feet 
below  the  surface  or  at  an  altitude  of  790  feet.  The  well  has  a  tested 
capacity  of   175  gallons  per  minute. 

GLEN   ELLYN 

The  city  of  Glen  Ellyn  has  an  8-inch  well  310  feet  in  depth.  The 
drift  is  114  feet  thick,  and  the  remainder  of  the  depth  is  in  Niagaran 
limestone.  The  pumpage  is  by  an  air-lift  system,  and  the  yield  is  275 
gallons  per  minute.  The  water  level  is  43  feet  below  the  surface  and 
recedes  to  56  feet  during  pumping.  The  average  daily  consumption  is 
83,600  gallons. 

The  water  is  moderately  hard  and  similar  to  that  obtained  from 
other  shallow  wells  in  the  county. 


146  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

HINSDALE 

The  city  of  Hinsdale  is  situated  along  the  eastern  border  of  the 
Valparaiso  morainic  area.  The  elevated  region  to  the  west  has  a  thick 
mantle  of  drift  and  the  drainage  is  so  inadequate  that  large  quantities 
of  shallow,  underground  water  are  collected.  This  water  is  not  all 
held  in  the  drift,  as  a  great  deal  of  it  finds  its  way  down  to  the  bed  rock 
where  it  probably  has  developed  water  channels.  The  underground- 
water  table  has  a  slope  to  the  east  similar  to  that  of  the  land  surface, 
although  not  so  great.  The  above  conditions  probably  account  for  the 
large  supplies  of  water  available  in  Hinsdale  at  shallow  depths. 

The  municipal  supply  is  furnished  by  two  wells  that  are  268  feet 
deep.  The  diameters  are  either  12  or  10  inches.  The  pumpage  is  by  two 
suction  pumps  each  of  which  has  a  daily  capactiy  of  2,000,000  gallons. 
These  pumps  are  placed  in  pits  20  feet  deep ;  the  water  level  is  20  feet 
below  the  floor  of  this  pit.  The  depression  of  the  water  table  while 
pumping  is  not  known.     The  average  daily  pumpage  is  300,000  gallons. 

The  water  is  rather  hard  and  a  softening  plant  was  installed  dur- 
ing the  summer  of  1915.     The  analysis  given  is  of  the  untreated  water. 

The  temperature  of  the  water  from  the  pump  was  52.5°F.  which 
is  similar  to  that  of  other  Niagaran  limestone  wells  in  the  county.  A 
temperature  of  50.8°F.  was  recorded  at  Lombard  and  51.5°  for  the 
spring  water  at  Naperville.  These  latter  figures  are  probably  very  close 
to  the  average  temperature  of  the  shallow  well  waters. 

LOMBARD 

The  village  water  supply  is  furnished  by  a  well  89  feet  in  depth. 
There  is  no  record  of  the  depth  to  bed  rock  and  it  may  not  have  been 
reached.  The  well  is  operated  only  a  few  hours  per  day,  during  which 
time  the  yield  is  over  300  gallons  per  minute.  The  water  level  at  rest 
is  26  feet  below  the  surface  and  drops  3  feet  during  pumping. 

The  water  is  moderately  hard  and  would  form  some  scale  if  used 
untreated  in  boilers.  The  principal  salts  are  the  bicarbonates  of  calcium 
and  magnesium. 

NAPERVILLE 

The  city  of  Naperville  has  a  1,375-foot  well  which  is  the  source  of 
the  municipal  supply.  There  is  no  log  of  this  well,  but  the  accom- 
panying record  is  that  of  an  old  well  less  than  50  feet  away. 


DTT  PAGE  COUNTY  147 

Log  of  old  city  well  at  Tsfaperville 

Elevation— 677 ±  feet 

Description  of  strata  Thickness     Depth 

Feet  Feet 

Loam   and    loose   rock 20  20 

Limestone     95  115 

Limestone   streaked   with   shale 190  305 

Limestone 341  646 

Sandstone    (St.  Peter) 129  775 

Limestone   streaked   with   shale 61  836 

Limestone    100  936 

Shale    3  939 

? 6  945 

Sandstone   5  950 

Limestone    ' .  315  1265 

Sandstone    155  1420 

Sandstone,  "dirty"    5  1425 

The  surface  diameter  of  the  1,375-foot  well  is  12  inches  and  it  is 
8  inches  at  the  bottom.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  14  feet  below  the 
surface  or  at  an  altitude  of  about  663  feet.  When  pumping  at  the  rate 
of  about  250  gallons  per  minute  the  level  recedes  71  feet.  It  is  very 
probable  that  this  level  does  not  represent  the  true  static  head  of  the 
"Potsdam"  water,  but  that  it  is  influenced  by  seepage  from  the  Niagaran 
limestone.  This  well  is  cased  only  to  a  depth  of  about  14  feet,  and  at 
45  feet  a  large  water-bearing  crevice  was  penetrated. 

The  water  is  rather  hard  and  would  form  considerable  scale  if 
used  untreated  in  boilers.  The  analysis  of  a  spring  water  at  Naper- 
ville  is  also  given;  the  mineral  content  is  somewhat  greater  than  the 
city  water,  but  there  is  no  radical  difference  in  the  chemical  composi- 
tion. A  number  of  springs  are  found  along  both  branches  of  Du  Page 
River. 

WEST    CHICAGO 

The  city  water  supply  is  furnished  by  two  12-inch  wells  which  are 
775  and  322  feet  in  depth;  the  bottom  diameters  are  probably  8  inches. 
The  depth  to  bed  rock  is  reported  as  89  feet.  The  yield  from  each  well 
is  about  100  gallons  per  minute.  The  water  level  is  50  feet,  and  there 
has  not  been  over  a  foot  recession  during  the  past  five  years.  The 
lowering  during  pumping  is  not  known. 

The  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company  has  two  wells 
at  West  Chicago ;  one,  drilled  in  1890,  is  2,081  feet  in  depth,  and  another 
is  approximately  30  feet.  The  driller's  log  of  the  deep  well  is  given 
below. 


148  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Log  of  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company  well  at  West  Chicago 

Elevation — 740±   feet 

Thickness     Depth 

Description   of   strata  Feet  Feet 

Soil,  clay,  sand,  and  gravel 42  42 

Clay    5  47 

Gravel 3  50 

Clay 15  65 

Gravel 29  94 

Limestone 249  343 

Limestone  "shell  rock" 45  388 

Limestone 336  724 

Sandstone  (St  Peter)    310  1034 

Marl,  red ;  "caves" 71  1105 

Limestone,  shale,  and  marl 190  1295 

Sandstone 240  1535 

Limestone 231  1766 

Sandstone   234  2000 

Sandstone;   "drillings  flow  away" 81  2081 

The  deep  well  delivers  about  100  gallons  per  minute/ but  it  is  very 
probable  that  much  of  this  water  is  from  the  Niagaran,  for  the  well  is 
old  and  may  have  caved  at  the  lower  depths.  The  analysis  indicates  a 
water  similar  to  that  from  other  wells  in  the  county  which  penetrate  the 
Niagaran  limestone.  The  dug  well  obtains  a  large  quantity  of  hard  water 
from  a  sand  and  gravel  stratum  in  the  drift. 

Several  other  rock  wells  within  the  city  giving  good  yields  are 
owned  by  the  Union  Tool  Company,  the  Borden  Condensed  Milk  Com- 
pany, and  the  West  Chicago  Sash  and  Door  Company. 

WHEATON 

The  city  of  Wheaton  obtains  its  water  supply  from  two  10-inch 
wells  175  feet  in  depth.  There  is  110  feet  of  drift  and  the  remainder  of 
the  depth  is  in  limestone.  The  wells  are  14  feet  apart  and  a  34-foot 
shaft,  5  feet  in  diameter,  is  placed  between  them.  At  the  bottom  of  this 
shaft  the  two  wells  are  connected  and  a  centrifugal  pump  delivers  the 
water  to  the  surface.  The  combined  pumpage  from  both  wells  is  about 
680  gallons  per  minute  for  about  8  hours  per  day.  The  water  level  at 
rest  is  about  22  feet  below  the  surface  and  drops  approximately  18  feet 
at  the  above  rate  of  pumping.  A  delivery  of  794  gallons  per  minute 
has  been  obtained  on  a  test  with  an  approximate  drop  of  24  feet. 

The  water  level  is  reported  to  have  remained  practically  stationary 
for  20  years.  During  the  dry  season  of  1914  there  was  a  lowering  of 
f)  inches,  but  the  normal  water  level  returned  after  the  first  rains.  The 
high  level  of  the  shallow  ground-water  table  as  compared  with  the 
rapidly  receding  water  table  of  the  "Potsdam"  formations  in  Chicago 


GRUNDY   COUNTY  149 

and  other  parts  of  northeastern  Illinois  strongly  suggests  that  wherever 
it  is  possible  in  this  area  to  develop  the  shallow  water  resources  it  should 
be  done  in  preference  to  sinking  deep  wells. 

The  water  is  a  moderately  hard  calcium  and  magnesium  carbonate 
water  satisfactory  for  boiler  use  after  slight  treatment. 

GRUNDY  COUNTY 

PHYSIOGRAPHY 

Grundy  County  is  situated  east  of  La  Salle  County  and  west  of 
Will  and  Kankakee  counties.     The  total  area  is  433  square  miles. 

The  county  has  a  plain-like  topography;  the  relief  is  slight,  except 
in  the  west-central  part  along  Illinois  River  where  some  bluffs  have  been 
developed.  The  Marseilles  terminal  moraine  conforms  roughly  to  the 
outline  of  the  county  on  the  north,  west,  and  south. 

The  Illinois  has  cut  through  this  elevated  belt  at  Marseilles  and 
thus  effected  an  outlet  for  its  waters.  There  is  a  gradual  slope  of  the 
land  surface  from  this  crescent-shaped  ridge  to  the  headwaters  of  the 
Illinois  in  the  northeastern  township.  There  are  a  few  dunes  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  county. 

The  Illinois  crosses  the  northern  part  of  the  county  in  a  westward 
direction.  However,  because  of  the  Marseilles  terminal  moraine,  the 
tributaries  in  this  area  flow  eastward.  Those  north  of  the  Illinois  have 
a  southeastward  course,  and  those  on  the  south,  northeastward. 

Geology 

Essentially  the  entire  county  is  covered  by  bluish  drift  that  is  very 
thin  in  the  eastern  part,  but  increases  to  over  100  feet  along  the  western 
border.  In  the  eastern  portion  of  the  county,  southeastward  from  Mor- 
ris and  in  the  vicinity  of  Braceville  and  Coal  City,  sand  deposits  overlie 
the  drift.  This  sand  was  probably  deposited  by  a  glacial  lake  that 
occupied  the  basin  at  the  headwaters  of  the  Illinois.1  The  sand  is 
usually  only  a  few  feet  in  thickness,  but  in  some  places  the  winds  have 
shaped  it  into  dunes. 

The  bed-rock  underlying  the  greater  part  of  the  county  belongs  to 
the  Pennsylvanian  series.  In  the  northeastern  part  of  the  county  the 
Maquoketa  shale  underlies  the  drift  over  a  small  area. 

The  Pennsylvanian,  as  here  developed,  consists  primarily  of  shales, 
sandy  shales,  thin  sandstones,  and  a  small     amount     of     coal.     These 


1  Leverett,    F.,    The    Illinois    Glacial   Lobe:    U.    S.    Geol.    Survey,    Monograph 
p.    315,    1899. 


150  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

strata  outcrop  along  the  Illinois  in  the  western  portion  of  the  county 
and  also  in  the  vicinity  of  Coal  City. 

The  strata  underlying  the  Pennsylvanian  are  indicated  by  the  logs 
from  Morris,  Mazon,  and  Coal  City. 

Underground  Waters 

sources 

The  most  favorable  conditions  for  shallow,  drift  wells  are  found 
along  the  west  border  of  the  county,  Here  the  drift  is  heavy,  and  the 
higher  morainic  area  to  the  west  furnishes  a  good  absorbing  area.  This 
usually  creates  sufficient  hydrostatic  pressure  to  bring  the  ground  water 
near  to  the  surface.  In  the  townships  south  of  the  Illinois  the  most  of 
the  wells  do  not  penetrate  below  the  drift,  as  the  water  from  the  under- 
lying Pennsylvanian  system  is  usually  sulphurous. 

The  St.  Peter  sandstone  is  the  important  water-bearing  formation 
along  Illinois  Valley  and  in  the  townships  to  the  north.  The  depth  to 
this  sandstone  varies  from  less  than  200  feet  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
county  to  over  600  feet  in  the  northeastern  townships.  In  the  southern 
and  southwestern  parts  of  the  county,  the  depths  to  this  formation  are 
not  known.    At  Mazon,  the  depth  is  probably  about  620  feet. 

Flowing  wells  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  are  obtained  at  low 
altitudes  along  the  Illinois.  The  city  well  at  Morris  flowed  in  1894 
when  it  was  drilled ;  the  present  head  is  48  feet  below  the  surface  or  at 
an  altitude  of  about  455  feet.  In  Goose  Lake  Township,  flowing  wells 
are  obtained  from  the  "Coal  Measures,"  Galena-Platteville  limestone 
and  St.  Peter  sandstone ;  the  surface  elevations  are  low — about  520  feet. 

A  2,100-foot  well  at  Minooka  has  a  good  flow  at  an  elevation  4.5 
feet  above  the  surface ;  when  this  well  was  drilled  in  1886  the  head  was 
reported  to  have  been  46  feet  above  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of 
660  feet. 

CHEMICAL  CHARACTER 

The  water  obtained  from  the  drift  wells  contains  a  moderate 
amount  of  dissolved  mineral  matter,  generally  in  the  form  of  carbonates 
of  calcium  and  magnesium,  and  sulphate  of  magnesium.  In  the  south- 
ern part  of  the  county,  which  is  underlain  by  the  Pennsylvanian,  or 
"Coal  Measures,"  the  water  in  most  of  the  wells  that  penetrate  these 
strata  contains  hydrogen  sulphide.  The  sulphates  and  chlorides  of 
sodium  are  generally  also  present  in  notable  amounts. 

The  St.  Peter  water  in  the  northern  half  of  the  county  is  not  ex- 
cessively mineralized  and  the  hydrogen-sulphide  content  is  low.     There 


GRUNDY   COUNTY  151 

are  no  definite  data  concerning  the  character  of  the  St.  Peter  water  in 
the  southern  townships,  but  it  probably  has  a  rather  high  mineral  con- 
tent. The  St.  Peter  wells  should  be  completely  cased  down  to  the  top 
of  this  formation,  in  order  to  shut  out  all  of  the  upper,  highly  miner- 
alized waters. 

The  waters  from  depths  of  1,900  feet  and  greater  are  highly  miner- 
alized, as  indicated  by  the  analyses  from  Minooka  and  Carbon  Hill. 

LOCAL     SUPPLIES 
BRACEVILLE 

The  village  has  a  dug  well,  or  pit,  which  is  12  by  14  feet  to  a 
depth  of  18  feet,  below  which  it  is  6  feet  square  to  a  depth  of  24  feet. 
The  water  is  used  only  for  fire  protection  and  not  as  a  source  of  public 
supply.  Formerly  there  was  a  deep  rock  well,  but  this  became  plugged 
during  an  attempt  to  enlarge  the  hole,  and  had  to  be  abandoned.  There 
are  many  driven  wells  in  the  village  12  to  14  feet  deep  which  draw 
water  from  the  sand. 

CARBON     HILL 

The  village  water  supply  is  furnished  by  a  1,900-foot  well  drilled 
about  1893.  Formerly  the  water  flowed  directly  into  the  mains  with 
sufficient  pressure  to  render  pumping  unnecessary.  However,  the  static 
head  gradually  decreased,  so  that  in  1900  the  well  was  equipped  with  a 
pump.  The  present  water  level  at  rest  is  20  feet  below  the  surface,  or 
at  an  approximate  altitude  of  545  feet.  The  recession  while  pumping 
has  not  been  determined.  The  average  daily  pumpage  is  probably 
8,500  gallons. 

The  water  is  hard  and  contains  a  large  amount  of  dissolved  mineral 
matter.  The  high  sodium-sulphate  content  gives  the  water  a  taste  that 
is  unpleasant  to  many  people.  The  water  has  little,  if  any,  hydrogen 
sulphide,  in  which  it  differs  from  that  obtained  from  the  shallow  well 
at  Coal  City  about  a  mile  to  the  southeast. 

COAL    CITY 

The  municipal  supply  is  derived  from  a  350-foot  well  drilled  in 
1892.  A  7-inch  casing  extends  from  the  surface  to  a  depth  of  285  feet, 
which  is  reported  to  penetrate  limestone  for  15  feet.  The  remainder  of 
the  depth  is  thought  to  be  in  limestone.  When  the  well  was  drilled, 
the  static  head  was  5  feet  above  the  surface,  but  in  August,  1914,  it  was 
32  feet  below  the  surface.     The  level  was  reported  to  be  46  feet  in  Sep- 


152  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

tember,  1915,  while  pumping  was  going  on  at  the  rate  of  180  gallons 
per  minute.  The  curb  elevation  is  approximately  562  feet.  The  average 
daily  consumption  is  220,000  gallons. 

The  analysis  of  the  water   indicates    a    hard    water    with  a    high 

mineral  content.  The  presence  of  a  large  amount  of  hydrogen  sulphide 
gives  a  sulphurous  taste. 

A  driller's  log  of  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railway  Company's 
well  is  given  below. 

Driller's  log  of  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railway  well  at   Coal  City 

Elevation— 665±  feet 

Description   of   strata  Thickness     Depth 

Feet  Feet 

Sand 12  12 

Clay,  blue 14  26 

Shale    9  35 

"Pyrite  of  iron" 2  37 

Shale    3  40 

"Conglomerate"    3  43 

Shale    2  45 

"Soapstone"   shale 75  120 

Shale,  sandy 2  122 

"Soapstone"  shale 33  155 

Shale 45  200 

Limestone 190  390 

Sandstone 30  420 

Limestone,  white    180  600 

Sandstone    (St.   Peter) 150  750 

Limestone,  sandy    125  875 

Sandstone 113  988 

Limestone    134  1122 

Sandstone   100  1222 

Limestone 124  1346 


The  village  has  no  water  works.  The  private  wells  range  in  depth 
from  40  to  50  feet  and  most  of  them  obtain  water  from  sand  and  gravel 
beds  in  the  till. 

MAZON 

The  record  of  a  deep  boring  on  a  farm  near  Mazon  is  given  below. 
The  amount  and  quality  of  water  obtained  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone 
is  not  known.    The  curb  elevation  is  approximately  600  feet. 


GEUNDY  COUNTY  153 

Log1  of  well  sunk  on  the  farm  of  Ed  Walker  2  miles  south,  1   mile  west  o] 
Mazon,  Grundy  County,  Illinois,  in  the  SW.  1/4  sec.  28,  T.  SI  N.,  R.  7  E. 

(Geologic  interpretations  by  G.  H.  Cady) 

Description  of   strata  Thickness     Depth 

Feet  Feet 
Recent  and  Pleistocene  series 

Soil    6  6 

Clay,  blue  160  166 

Pennsylvanian  system 

Shale  ("soapstone"),  slate,  black,  4  feet 40  206 

Sandstone,  blue   18  224 

Shale    ( "soapstone" )     , 34  258 

Ordovician  system 
Maquoketa  formation 

Shale    ("soapstone")     46  304 

Slate,  black  12  316 

Shale    (hardpan) 16  332 

Galena-Trenton  formation 

Limestone,  hard 216  548 

Limestone,  soft 60  608 

Limestone,  hard 12  620 

St.  Peter  formation 

Sandstone,  white 87  707 

MINOOKA 

The  source  of  the  public  supply  is  a  620-foot  well  drilled  in  1905,  to 
the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  There  is  about  100  feet  of  12-inch  casing,  and 
the  bottom  diameter  is  6  inches.  The  water  level  at  rest  in  1915  was 
70  feet  below  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  about  550  feet ;  but  the 
recession  while  pumping  is  not  known.  A  yield  of  90  gallons  per  minute 
has  been  obtained.     The  average  daily  consumption  is  5,000  gallons. 

A  2,100-foot  flowing  well  drilled  in  1886,  had  at  that  time  a  static 
head  46  feet  above  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  660  feet.  At  the 
time  the  well  was  drilled,  the  flow  was  over  100  gallons  per  minute  at 
the  surface,  and  the  water  flowed  directly  into  the  mains  with  sufficient 
pressure  to  supply  the  town.  The  present  yield  is  about  50  gallons  per 
minute  at  an  elevation  of  4.5  feet  above  the  surface. ,  The  temperature 
of  the  water  is  66. 5°F.  Because  of  the  high  mineral  content  and  the 
corrosion  of  pipes  and  casing,  the  water  was  not  satisfactory.  The 
620-foot  well  was  drilled  in  1905,  and  the  water  from  the  old  well  has 
not  been  used  as  a  public  supply  since  that  date. 

The  mineral  content  of  both  waters  is  very  high.  The  2,100-foot 
well  has  a  large  amount  of   sodium  chloride     and     also     considerable 


Well  drilled  and  record  furnished  by  C.  "W.  Johnson,   Seneca,  111. 


154  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

calcium  carbonate.  The  St.  Peter  water  is  not  so  hard,  but  the  mineral 
content  is  high  for  a  water  from  this  formation  in  this  locality.  It  may 
be  that  some  of  the  water  from  the  2,100-foot  well  escapes  into  the 
St.  Peter  sandstone  and  thus  affects  the  character  of  that  obtained  from 
the  620-foot  well. 

A  driller's  log,  furnished  by  the  J.  P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Com- 
pany, Chicago,  of  an  oil  test  drilled  in  1902  for  Jos.  Junk  in  or  near  the 
village  is  as  follows : 

Driller's  log  of  the  oil  test  at  Minooka 
Description   of   strata  Thickness     Depth 

Feet  Feet 

Gravel,  sand,  clay 44  44 

? 91  135 

"Soapstone'',  shale 5  140 

Limestone    300  440 

Sandstone   (St.  Peter)    110  550 

Shale,  gray  108  658 

Limestone    207  865 

Shale  and  limestone 53  918 

"Hard  rock"  67  985 

Limestone    75  1060 

Shale,  sandy,  blue 102  1162 

MORRIS 

The  city  has  three  St.  Peter  wells  that  are  about  700  feet  deep.  A 
new  720-foot  well  was  completed  in  1915,  and  the  record  of  the  strata, 
as  determined  from  a  study  of  the  drillings,  is  given  on  the  following 
pages.  A  driller's  log  of  an  old  well  drilled  on  the  farm  of  Abe  Hoge 
about  four  miles  northeast  of  Morris  is  also  given. 

The  chief  source  of  the  present  supply  is  a  10-inch  well  that  is  765 
feet  in  depth.  The  amount  of  casing  is  not  known,  but  it  probably  ex- 
tends through  the  "Coal  Measures,"  or  to  a  depth  of  140  feet.  The 
water  level  at  rest  is  48  feet  below  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  about 
455  feet.  The  recession  during  pumping  has  not  been  determined. 
The  average  rate  of  pumping  is  about  160  gallons  per  minute,  and  the 
daily  consumption  is  about  235,000  gallons.  There  is  also  an  old, 
650-foot  well  that  is  rarely  used. 

The  recently  drilled,  720-foot  well  is  cased  with  82  feet  of  20-inch 
surface  pipe  and  with  335  feet  of  16-inch  casing  extending  from  the 
ground  surface  to  the  top  of  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  This  insures  water 
from  only  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  The  cost  of  the  well  was  $4,927. 
The  pumping  equipment  has  not  been  installed,  so  that  there  have  been 
no  determinations  of  the  yield. 


GRUNDY  COUNTY  155 

Other  deep  wells  in  the  city  are  at  the  Gebhard  Brewery,  Coleman 
Hardware  Company,  and  the  Woelfel  Tannery.  These  wells  probably 
penetrate  the  St.  Peter  sandstone. 

Analyses  of  the  water  from  the  765-foot  city  well  and  from  the 
Gebhard  Brewery  well  are  given.  The  waters  are  similar  and  have  a 
very  moderate  amount  of  dissolved  mineral  matter.  The  water  is  used 
in  the  boilers  at  the  brewery,  but  is  first  passed  through  a  heater  where 
a  small  amount  of  soft  scale  is  deposited. 

Log  of  an  artesian  well  on  the  farm  of  Abe  Hoge,  NW.  1/4  NW.  1/4  sec  25, 

T.  34  N.,  R.  6  E. 

(Well  drilled  in  1875) 

Thickness     Depth 
Description   of   strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent  series 

Soil 5  5 

Pennsylvanian  system 

Shale  and  sandstone    70  75 

Ordovician  system 
Galena-Platteville 

Limestone    200  275 

Shale 2  277 

St.   Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone    200  477 

"Cement"  and  shale 8  485 

Sandstone   60  545 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Limestone,  white   185  730 

Sandstone,  white 93  823 

Limestone,  white   326  1149 

Cambrian  (?)   system 

Sandstone,  red  166  1315 

Limestone,  gray   30  1345 

Sandstone    317  1662 

Limestone,  gray 43  1705 

Sandstone   163  1868 


156 


ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

Log  of  city  well  No.  2,  Morris,  III. 
Elevation— 503±  feet 


Drilled  in  1914-1915  by  Cater  Contracting  Co.,  Chicago 

Detailed  log 

(Samples  studied  by  author) 

Depth  in  feet 
Description  of  strata  From  To 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent 

Sand,  yellow,  clay,  white  chert  and  fragments  of  yellow, 
leached,  dolomite  pebbles   0  5 

Pebbles  of  dolomite  and  igneous  rock,  sand,  and  chert..  5  15 

Pebbles,  coarse  gravel,  and  sand;  pebbles  are  for  the  most 
part  arenaceous  dolomite  or  chert,  with  a  few  of  the 
smaller  ones   composed  of  red  granite   or  dark-colored 

igneous  rock   15  30 

Pebbles,  sand,  gravel,  and  chert 30  35 

Sand,  rather  coarse  and  a  few  fragments  of  chalcedonic 
chert 35  50 

Pennsylvanian  system 

Shale,  drab  colored,  micaceous.  No  samples  between  55 
and  67  feet 50  55 

Coal,  black,  vitreous,  cubical  fracture.  No  samples  be- 
tween 69  and  83  feet 67  69 

Shale,  drab  colored,  micaceous;  sample  collected  at  depth 
of  83  feet 83 

Shale,  drab  colored,  micaceous;  very  similar  to  preceding, 
sample  collected  at  depth  of  100  feet 100 

Shale,  drab  colored,  micaceous;  similar  to  the  preceding; 
collected  at  115  feet 115 

Ordovician  system 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Limestone,  shaly,  micaceous,  gray,  might  almost  be  called 
a  soft,  calcareous  shale;  some  small  crystals  of  pyrite; 
sample  collected  at  139  ft.,  thickness  not  given 139 

Limestone,  gray  to  light  gray,  dense;  fragments  effervesce 
with  cold,  dilute  hydrochloric  acid;  a  few  small  pieces 
of  pyrite  noted 139  160 

Limestone,  gray,  dense;  fragments  of  light  and  dark  gray 
limestone,  the  lighter-colored  material  effervesces  vigor- 
ously with  cold,  dilute  acid,  while  the  darker  fragments 
do  not  effervesce  as  strongly  unless  allowed  to  stand  for 
a  few  minutes;  this  dark  gray  material  seems  to  be 
somewhat  dolomitic  160  180 


KANE    COUNTY  157 

Log  of  well  No.  2,  Morris,  III. — Concluded 

Depth  in  feet 
From  To 

Limestone,  gray  to  light  gray,  fine  grained;   good  effer- 
vescence with  cold,  dilute  acid   180  200 

Limestone,  gray  to  light  gray,  fine  grained;  some  of  the 
fragments  are  lithographic  in  character,  while  other 
darker  colored  pieces  are  somewhat  dolomitic,  not  effer- 
vescing as  easily  with  the  cold  acid 200  220 

Limestone,  like  the  preceding 220  240 

Limestone,   gray,   fine  grained;    considerable   action   with 

cold,  dilute  acid;  sample  taken  at  depth  of  275  feet. . . .       240  275 

Limestone,    dolomitic,    light    gray,    fine    grained,    sample 

taken  at  depth  of  300  ft 275  300 

Limestone,  somewhat  dolomitic,  fine  grained 300  325 

Limestone,  slightly  dolomitic,  gray,  fine  grained 325  330 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  colorless,  rounded  quartz  sand  ranging  in  size 
from  a  powder  to  grains  .8  mm.  in  diameter,  averaging 
about  .4  to  .5  millimeters;   there  are  also  present  frag- 
ments   of    sandstone    which    have    a    dolomitic    cement; 
these    undoubtedly    are    from    the    contact    between    the 
sandstone  and  the  overlying  formation 330  335 

Sandstone;     colorless,    rounded    quartz    sand,    similar    to 
the  preceding  in  size;   no  fragments  of  sandstone  with 
dolomitic  cement 335  340 

Sandstone,  like  the  preceding;  not  stated  from  what  depth 
sample  was  collected  but  probably  at  500  ft.;  some  frag- 
ments of  rusted  iron  particles  broken  from  bit  in  drill- 
ing.    This  sandstone  probably  continues  to  720  feet..       335  500 
Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Dolomite  ,  light  gray,  subcrystalline;  scarcely  any  action 
with  cold,  dilute  acid,  but  vigorous  effervescence  on 
heating;  the  material  has  been  powdered  extremely 
fine  and  only  a  few  fragments  were  found  showing  the 
material's  true  character;  a  few  small  pieces  of  the  red 
chert  usually  present  at  top  of  "Lower  Magnesian"  for- 
mation were  found.  Either  this  red  cherty  horizon  was 
very  thin  at  this  locality  or  the  sample  was  collected 
at  a  slightly  lower  horizon.  Some  rounded  sand  grains 
also  noted;  sample  collected  at  depth  of  720  ft.  thickness 
not  indicated 720 

KANE  COUNTY 

Physiography 
Kane  County  is  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  State  and  in  the 
second  tier  of  counties  south  of  the  Wisconsin  boundary.     It  adjoins 
McHenry  County  on  the  south  and  is  directly  east  of  DeKalb  County. 
The  total  area  is  527  square  miles. 


158  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

The  part  of  the  county  north  of  the  latitude  of  Geneva  is  occupied 
by  a  composite  system  of  moraines.1  The  southern  half  of  the  county, 
although  it  is  covered  by  a  mantle  of  drift,  does  not  possess  the  rough, 
irregular  topography  of  a  terminal-moraine  area.  In  the  western  part 
of  the  county,  an  elevated  belt  called  the  Marengo  Ridge  extends 
southward  from  McHenry  County.  The  ridge  continues  to  the  vicinity 
of  Elburn  and  has  a  width  of  3  to  4  miles.  The  elevations  of  this  area 
are  seldom  less  than  100  feet  and  in  places  150  feet  above  those  of  the 
more  level  tracts  to  the  west  and  east.  The  topography  of  this  ridge  is 
characterized  by  small  hills  or  knobs  with  rather  steep  slopes  and  by 
basins  of  irregular  shapes,  some  of  which  have  no  outlet. 

An  irregular  level  belt  1  to  2  miles  wide  lies  east  of  the  Marengo 
ridge  and  at  a  lower  elevation.  To  the  east  then  follows  the  composite 
morainic  area  as  far  as  Fox  River.  The  topography  as  a  whole  is  of 
the  character  of  a  terminal  moraine,  although  in  places  it  is  gently 
undulating.  There  are  also  level  tracts  acres  in  extent  completely 
surrounded  by  knolls  20  to  40  feet  high.  These  areas  have  l>een  drained 
by  ditches. 

The  uplands  along  Fox  River  are  in  places  150  feet  above  the  water, 
but  although  the  slopes  may  be  rather  steep,  there  are  few  distinct  bluffs 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  In  the  southeastern  townships  the 
rock  outcrops  along  the  river  form  bluffs. 

The  southern  half  of  the  county  is  slightly  rolling  and  does  not 
possess  the  knoll-and-basin  type  of  topography  characteristic  of  the  area 
to  the  north. 

The  drainage  of  practically  the  entire  county  is  effected  by  Fox 
River  and  its  tributaries.  This  stream  flows  southward  along  the  east- 
ern border  for  the  entire  length  of  the  county.  Tributaries  of  Kish- 
waukee  River  and  its  South  Branch  which  flow  west  and  north  drain 
the  townships  along  the  northwestern  border.  The  drainage  in  the 
morainic  area  of  the  northern  half  of  the  county  is  so  inadequate  that 
it  has  been  found  necessary  to  resort  to  artificial  drainage  by  tiling  and 
ditching. 

Geology 

The  northern  half  of  the  county  is  overlain  by  a  heavy  mantle  of 
drift  that  is  in  places  200  feet  deep.  Beds  composed  almost  entirely  of 
sand  and  gravel  occur  in  places  but  blue  or  bluish-drab  clay  is  the  most 
common  constituent.     Borings   in  the  northwestern  townships   indicate 


1  Levcrett,  F.,  The  Illinois  glacial  lobe:  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  Monograph  38, 
p.   290,   1899. 


KANE  COUNTY  159 

that  the  drift  is  over  100  feet  in  thickness,  and  few  of  the  farm  wells 
enter  rock. 

Along  Fox  River  valley  in  the  part  of  the  county  south  of  the  lati- 
tude of  Geneva,  the  drift  is  generally  less  than  100  feet  thick,  although 
on  knolls  and  ridges  the  depth  is  greater.  In  Sugar  Grove  Township 
the  drift  varies  in  thickness  from  15  feet  and  less  to  over  75  feet.  In 
Big  Rock  Township  the  drift  is  also  thin  and  rock  outcrops  occur  along 
Rock  Creek. 

The  bed  rock  formation  underlying  the  greater  part  of  the  county 
is  the  Niagaran  limestone.  It  seems  very  probable  however,  that  along 
the  western  border  the  Maquoketa  shale  underlies  the  drift.  This  is  in- 
dicated by  a  well  driller's  log  which  reports  shale  underlying  the  drift 
in  the  N.  y2  sec.  26,  Big  Rock  Township;  also  127  feet  of  shale  is  re- 
ported beneath  24  feet  of  bed  rock  limestone.  The  bed  rock  formation 
in  the  Sycamore  and  De  Kalb  wells,  4  and  8  miles,  respectively,  west  of 
the  county  border,  is  the  Galena-Platteville  limestone,  that  underlies  the 
Maquoketa. 

The  sequence  of  strata  is  indicated  by  numerous  good  logs  given 
in  the  descriptions  of  the  different  localities.  The  general  succession  is 
similar  to  that  in  the  counties  to  the  east  and  north.  The  beds  have  a 
slight  dip  toward  the  east  and  south. 

Underground  Waters 

sources 

The  drift  wells  furnish  sufficient  water  for  farm  uses,  although 
the  common  practice  is  to  continue  these  wells  for  a  short  distance  into 
the  limestone.  Flowing  shallow  wells  are  not  common,  but  a  few  are 
noted  south  of  Aurora.  In  section  21,  Big  Rock  Township,  a  flowing 
well  on  Mr.  A.  Zebby's  farm  is  96  feet  deep  in  drift.  Also  in  the 
northwestern  part  of  the  county  a  few  flowing  drift  wells  have  been 
obtained  in  T.  41  N.,  R.  6  E. 

Springs  occur  in  many  places  along  Fox  River,  as  at  Carpenters- 
ville,  Dundee,  and  Aurora. 

The  larger  towns  in  the  county  are  all  situated  along  Fox  River 
and  obtain  their  municipal  supplies  from  "Potsdam"  wells.  Although 
the  St.  Peter  sandstone  is  water  bearing,  most  of  the  wells  are  continued 
to  the  deeper  strata  where  it  is  always  possible  to  obtain  good  supplies. 

A  number  of  "Potsdam"  wells  have  been  drilled  by  the  cities  in 
Fox  River  valley,  and  some  lowering  of  the  water  table  has  resulted. 
This  recession  has  not  been  great  at  Elgin,  but  farther  south,  at  Aurora, 
it  is  noticeable.    The  recession  at  Elgin  is  reported  to  be  only  4  or  5  feet 


160  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

in  the  past  ten  years.  There  are  no  exact  data  for  the  wells  at  Aurora, 
but  the  head  in  1899  was  about  60  feet  above  the  surface.  The  present 
water  level  in  these  wells  could  not  be  determined  when  at  rest,  but 
they  do  not  flow,  and  the  pumping  level  in  1914  was  53  feet  below  the 
surface.  A  well  recently  drilled  in  Aurora  is  2,263  feet  deep,  and  its 
head  is  about  3  feet  above  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  624  feet; 
this  is  considering  that  the  Aurora  city  datum  is  537  feet.  This  is  the 
only  flowing  "Potsdam"   well  in  the  county. 

CHEMICAL  CHARACTER 

The  waters  from  all  the  horizons  are  somewhat  mineralized.  The 
predominant  salts  in  the  waters  from  the  drift  and  underlying  limestone 
are  the  carbonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium.  The  waters  from  these 
shallow  depths  do  not  usually  contain  the  hard  scale-forming  magnesium 
sulphate  in  any  great  amounts,  but,  a  spring  water  at  Aurora  contains 
a  large  amount  of  this  salt. 

The  water  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  at  Elgin  contains  a  very 
noticeable  amount  of  hydrogen  sulphide.  The  sulphurous  character  of 
the  water  from  this  formation  has  been  slightly  noted  in  other  parts  of 
the  country,  but  it  is  not  so  marked  as  that  in  the  Elgin  wells. 

At  St.  Charles  the  water  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  is  less  min- 
eralized than  that  from  the  shallower  wells.  This  relation,  however, 
may  not  hold  for  all  parts  of  the  county. 

A  large  number  of  analyses  of  well  waters  in  Aurora  have  been 
obtained.  The  deeper  wells  are  as  a  rule  cased  only  to  bed  rock,  a  con- 
dition that  permits  the  entrance  of  upper-strata  waters.  The  waters 
are  only  moderately  mineralized  and  in  many  of  the  factories  are  used 
for  boiler  purposes. 

There  is  danger  of  obtaining  very  highly  mineralized  waters  from 
wells  of  great  depth.  In  Aurora  there  is  a  notable  increase  in  the  amount 
of  dissolved  salts  in  waters  from  wells  over  2,350 ± feet  in  depth.  This 
same  depth  would  not  apply  for  the  entire  county,  but  as  sufficient  sup- 
plies can  be  obtained  at  less  depths  it  is  not  advisable  to  drill  deeper. 

LOCAL     SUPPLIES 


The  water  supply  of  Aurora  is  furnished  by  a  series  of  "Potsdam" 
wells  which  range  in  depth  from  1,388  to  2,263  feet.  One  group  of 
five  wells  is  at  the  water-works  station  located  in  the  extreme  northern 
part  of  the  city  on  the  east  bank  of  Fox  River.  The  maximum  dis- 
tance between  any  of  the  wells  is  only  a  few  hundred  feet.     The  depths 


KANE  COUNTY  161 

are  all  about  2,250  feet,  except  No.  1  which  is  only  1,388.  The  three 
oldest  wells  have  been  in  operation  for  18  or  more  years,  but  the  other 
two  have  been  drilled  more  recently.  Well  No.  5  was  completed  about 
1910.  The  diameter  of  Well  No.  5  is  reported  to  be  16  inches  at  the 
surface  and  8  inches  at  the  bottom.  It  is  probable  that  the  older  wells 
are  considerably  smaller.  The  wells  are  all  pumped  by  means  of  air  and 
the  combined  average  daily  pumpage  is  2,400,000  gallons. 

The  rapid  growth  of  the  city  and  the  heavy  consumption  during 
the  summer  demanded  an  increased  supply.  It  was  therefore  decided 
to  drill  separate  wells  of  large  bore  in  different  parts  of  the  city,  some- 
what after  the  plan  adopted  at  Rockford.  The  first  of  these  isolated 
wells  was  drilled  in  1915  at  Talma  Street,  which  is  about  two  and  one- 
half  miles  almost  due  south  of  the  old  pumping  station.  This  well  is 
2,185  feet  in  depth;  the  surface  pipe  is  20  inches  in  diameter  and  the 
hole  is  finished  at  15  inches.  The  only  casing  is  from  the  surface  to  a 
depth  of  350  feet. 

The  pumping  equipment  consists  of  a  combination  4-stage,  17-inch, 
deep-well,  turbine  pump,  and  a  2-stage,  vertical  booster  pump  placed  at 
the  surface.  The  pumps  are  electrically  driven.  The  cost  of  the  finished 
well  was  a  little  over  $25,000,  which  included  $18,000  for  the  drilling  and 
the  remainder  for  the  pumping  equipment  and  pump  house.  A  deliv- 
ery of  450  gallons  per  minute  was  being  obtained  in  July,  1915,  with  a 
recession  of  160  feet  in  the  water  level.  A  much  greater  yield  was  ex- 
pected, and  with  reason,  since  it  is  noted  that  the  wells  of  smaller  bore 
deliver  nearly  this  amount.  It  is  possible  that  some  water  may  be  lost 
through  crevices  in  the  limestone  or  in  other  porous  formations. 

The  River  Street  well  was  completed  in  the  summer  of  1915  at  a 
depth  of  2,263  feet.  The  location  is  a  little  over  a  mile  to  the  west  and 
north  of  the  one  at  Talma  Street.  The  diameter  of  the  surface  pipe  is 
22  inches,  and  the  hole  is  15  inches  at  the  bottom.  Casing  extends  from 
the  surface  to  a  depth  of  255  feet  or  through  the  Maquoketa  shale.  The 
total  cost  of  drilling  and  piping  was  $20,280.  This  well  had  an  esti- 
mated flow  of  150  gallons  per  minute,  at  2  feet  above  the  surface,  or 
a  head  of  87  feet  above  Aurora  datum.  This  is  equivalent  to  an  approx- 
imate altitude  of  624  feet.  The  water  level  at  rest  in  the  Talma  Street 
well  was  48  feet  below  the  surface,  but  when  it  is  considered  that  the 
elevation  at  River  Street  is  53  feet  lower,  it  is  seen  that  the  water  levels 
are  essentially  the  same.  The  pumping  equipment  of  the  River  Street 
well  has  not  been  installed  at  the  present  writing,  so  that  the  effects  of 
pumping  cannot  be  given.  Another  well  of  a  similar  size  is  being 
drilled  which  probably  will  be  about  2,300  feet  deep. 


162  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

There  has  been  a  recession  in  the  artesian  water  table  in  Aurora. 
as  in  other  localities  of  northeastern  Illinois.  The  exact  amount  of  this 
lowering  is  not  known,  but  it  has  been  over  80  feet  since  1899.  The 
static  head  in  that  year,  as  reported  by  Leverett  was  60  feet  above  the 
surface  at  the  water  works.  The  present  water  level  in  these  wells  at 
rest  is  not  exactly  known,  but  it  was  53  feet  below  the  surface  in  one 
well  in  the  fall  of  1914  while  the  other  wells  were  in  operation. 

Another  deep  well  owned  by  the  city  is  located  in  Phillips  Park.  The 
depth  is  2,759  feet  and  it  is  therefore  one  of  the  deepest  wells  in  Illinois. 
The  driller's  record  of  the  strata  penetrated  is  similar  to  the  records  of 
other  wells  in  the  city.  A  series  of  sandstones  was  struck  at  1,847  feet 
and  these  continued  to  the  full  depth  of  the  well ;  no  specific  descriptions 
of  the  sandstones  were  given.  The  water  has  a  large  content  of  dis- 
solved mineral  matter  so  that  a  slight  salty  taste  is  noticeable. 

The  few  other  deep  wells  in  Aurora  are  at  the  Aurora  Bleachery, 
Western  Wheeled  Scraper  Company,  and  the  Munroe  Bindery.  The 
depths  are  not  over  1,420  feet,  and  the  water  is  from  the  first  "Potsdam" 
sandstone,  the  St.  Peter,  and  any  other  water-bearing  strata  at  shallower 
depths.  The  surface  diameters  are  not  over  12  inches  and  the  bottom 
diameters  are  8  or  6  inches,  and  perhaps  less. 

The  well  at  the  Western  Wheeled  Scraper  Company  was  drilled  in 
1901  to  obtain  water  from  only  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone ;  600  feet 
of  5-inch  and  the  same  amount  of  3-inch  piping,  was  continued  from 
the  surface  to  a  depth  of  1,200  feet  and  a  rubber  packer  was  placed  at  that 
depth.  The  analysis  of  this  water  is  given  and  very  probably  represents 
the  water  from  this  horizon  at  this  locality.  That  the  rubber  packer  may 
be  worn  out  and  that  leaks  may  have  developed  in  the  pipes  does  not 
seem  probable,  as  an  analysis  made  in  1901  is  essentially  the  same  as  the 
one  of  1915.  This  water  is  moderately  mineralized  and  is  similar  to  that 
obtained  from  other  wells  of  like  depth  in  the  city.  The  water  level  in 
this  well  in  1901  was  30  feet  below  the  surface  and  in  the  fall  of  1914 
it  was  78  feet,  the  lowering  amounting  to  48  feet ;  the  curb  elevation  is 
about  688  feet.  This  level  is  approximately  14  feet  lower  than  that  in 
the  new  city  wells.  These  wells  are  much  deeper,  and  it  is  therefore 
probable  that  the  water  obtained  from  the  lower  strata  has  a  greater 
head. 

As  the  well  at  the  Scraper  works  is  not  large,  the  pumpage  is  only 
about  40  gallons  per  minute.  The  Munroe  Bindery  reports  a  yield  of 
225  gallons  and  the  Aurora  Bleachery  a  yield  of  400  gallons  per  minute. 
This  latter  figure  seems  rather  high. 

The  waters  from  all  of  the  deep  wells  in  Aurora  are  somewhat 
mineralized,  and  although  the  water  from  certain  wells  is  used  for  boiler 


KANE    COUNTY  163 

purposes  without  treatment,  some  softening  would  be  desirable.  There 
is  a  great  increase  in  the  total  mineral  content  of  the  water  from  depths 
greater  than  2,250  feet.  This  is  indicated  in  the  River  Street  well  and 
also  the  one  at  Phillips  Park.  In  the  latter  case,  the  amount  of  dissolved 
mineral  matter  is  so  great  that  the  water  is  not  fit  for  use. 

It  was  not  possible  to  secure  accurate  temperatures  as  in  most  cases 
the  water  passed  through  pumps.  The  temperature  of  the  water  from 
the  1,280-foot  well  at  the  Bleachery  was  57.2°F.  This  is  pumped  by  air 
so  that  the  temperature  was  taken  as  the  water  came  from  the  well  and 
before  passing  through  a  deep  well  pump  as  at  the  other  wells.  The 
water  from  the  flowing  well  at  River  Street,  which  is  2,263  feet  in  depth, 
has  a  temperature  of  63.5°F. 

Some  of  the  factories  have  shallow,  rock  wells  a  few  hundred  feet 
deep.  The  yields  are  25  gallons  or  less  per  minute.  The  well  at  the 
W.  B.  Davis  greenhouse  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  city  is  69  feet  deep, 
of  which  24  feet  is  surface  material  and  the  remainder  limestone.  The 
diameter  at  the  surface  is  12  inches  and  at  the  bottom,  10  inches.  The 
water  level  at  rest  is  about  18  feet  below  the  surface,  and  28  feet  when 
delivering  125  gallons  per  minute.  This  is  an  unusually  large  yield  for  a 
well  of  this  depth.  The  collecting  area  is  probably  the  region  of  higher 
elevation  to  the  west. 

Log  of  Aurora  City  Well  No.  8 

Elevation—  635 ±   feet 
(Drilled  by  G.  S.  Geiger,  Chicago) 

Generalized  section*  Thickness     Depth 

Quaternary  system  Feet  Feet 

Pleistocene  and  Recent 

Soil,  sand,  etc 18  18 

Silurian  system 

Niagaran  limestone 

Limestone     142  160 

Ordovician  system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale    170  330 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite   and   dolomitic   limestone 280  610 

St.   Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone     250  860 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Shale    50  910 

Dolomite    30  940 

Sandstone    40  980 

Dolomite     110  1090 


a  The  detailed  log  of  this  well  compiled  from  study  of  samples  is  to  be  found 
in  the  Survey  files  if  desired  for  reference. 


164  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

BATAVIA 

A  knowledge  of  the  strata  at  Batavia  has  been  obtained  through  a 
study  of  the  drillings  from  a  2,000-foot  well  which  were  collected  by  Mr. 
L.  A.  Parre,  superintendent  of  the  water  works,  and  employees  of  the  J. 
P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Company.  The  general  succession  of  strata  is 
similar  to  that  found  in  other  parts  of  northeastern  Illinois.  There  are, 
however,  some  variations  in  the  thicknesses  of  the  different  formations. 
The  St.  Peter  sandstone  attains  the  unusual  thickness  of  309  feet,  while 
the  underlying  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone  is  thinner  than  common.  The 
main  water-bearing  formations  are  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  and  the 
"Potsdam"  series. 

The  city  has  two  deep  wells  that  furnish  the  municipal  supply.  The 
location  is  on  the  banks  of  Fox  River  about  8  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  water  and  the  curb  elevation  is  approximately  660  feet.  The  old 
well  is  1,279  feet  deep;  the  diameter  at  the  surface  is  10  inches  and  at 
the  bottom  8  inches.  This  well  is  equipped  with  an  air-lift  pumping 
system  and  delivers  650  gallons  per  minute.  This  well  flowed  in  1895, 
but  in  September,  1914,  the  level  was  35  feet  below  the  surface  after  the 
pump  had  been  stopped  only  long  enough  to  measure.  The  2,000-foot 
well  was  completed  in  1915  ;  the  diameter  at  the  surface  is  12  inches 
and  at  the  bottom  8  inches.  The  pumping  equipment  is  an  electrically- 
driven,  8-stage,  turbine  pump.  The  delivery  is  1,140  gallons  per  minute 
with  a  recession  of  34  feet  in  the  water  level.  The  static  head  at  rest  is 
6  feet  below  the  surface. 

The  analysis  of  the  water  from  the  new  well  indicates  that  it  is 
only  moderately  mineralized.  The  greater  amount  of  the  dissolved 
solids  is  in  the  form  of  the  bicarbonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium.  The 
water  is  used  in  the  boilers  untreated,  but  it  could  be  softened  by  the 
addition  of  a  small  amount  of  lime.  It  may  be  mentioned  that  the 
water  obtained  from  the  cherty  horizon  immediately  below  the  St.  Peter 
sandstone  was  reported  to  have  been  sulphurous.  This  chert  and  shale 
stratum  has  a  tendency  to  cave  and  for  that  reason  was  cased  off  with 
77  feet  of  liner  which  shut  out  all  of  the  sulphurous  water. 


KANE  COUNTY  165 

Log  of  City  Well  No.  2,  Batavia,  III,  SE.  Ilk  NW.  Ilk  sec.  22,  T.  39  N.,  R.  8  E. 

Elevation   660±   feet 

Drilled  1914-1915,  J.  P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Co.,  Chicago 

Generalized  section  a 

Thickness     Depth 
Description    strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  recent 
No  samples  of  surface  sand  and  gravel,  but  probably  about 

6  feet   6  6 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran  limestone 

Dolomite,  gray  to  light  gray,  subcrystalline 134  140 

Alexandrian  series 

Dolomite,  gray,  soft 50  190 

Ordovician  system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,  gray  to  dark  gray 30  220 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  gray  to  cream-colored,  subcrystalline 300  520 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  colorless,  rather  well  rounded  quartz  grains.  .         309  829 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Chert,  gray  to  chocolate-colored   11  840 

Dolomite,  sandy   40  880 

Sandstone    10  890 

Dolomite,  light  gray  to  a  light  pinkish-gray,  subcrystalline       120  1010 

Sandstone,  dolomitic  and  glauconiferous 50  1060 

Dolomite,  shaly,  sandy,  and  glauconiferous 30  1090 

Sandstone,   dolomitic,   glauconiferous 10  1100 

Cambrian  system 

Sandstone,    colorless,    rather   well    rounded,    quartz    sand, 
averaging  about  .5  mm.  in  diameter,  not  glauconiferous       190  1290 

Dolomite,  slightly  sandy  and  glauconiferous 20  1310 

Shale,  siliceous  and  slightly  dolomitic,  some  glauconite..       130  1440 

Sandstone,  dolomitic,  and  sandy  dolomite 90  1530 

Shale,   somewhat   dolomitic    130  1660 

Sandstone,  ranging  from  fine  to  coarse  in  grain  and  from 

colorless  to  light  yellow 240  1900 

Sandstone,  chocolate-colored,  medium  to  coarse  in  grain .  .       100  2000 


a  The  detailed  Log  of  this  well  compiled  from  study  of  samples  is  to  be  found 
in  the  Survey  files  if  desired  for  reference. 


166  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

CARPENTERSVILLE 

The  village  is  located  in  the  Fox  River  valley  along  the  eastern 
border  of  the  morainic  belt.  This  high  land  to  the  west  forms  a  good 
collecting  reservoir  so  that  at  the  lower  elvations  along  the  base,  good 
wells  can  be  obtained  at  shallow  depths.  The  conditions  are  such  as  to 
give  rise  to  a  number  of  flowing  wells. 

The  water  supply  for  the  village  is  furnished  by  a  dug  well  17  feet 
in  depth  and  19  feet  in  diameter  located  on  low  land  east  of  Fox  River. 
The  material  encountered  in  drilling  was  coarse  gravel  and  "stone"  ex- 
cept for  5  feet  of  surface  soil  and  clay. 

The  water  level  is  kept  down  to  within  6  feet  of  the  surface  by 
means  of  an  overflow  to  the  Fox  River,  an  eighth  of  a  mile  distant.  It 
has  been  possible  to  lower  the  water  level  to  within  4  feet  of  the  bottom 
when  pumping  at  the  rate  of  250  gallons  per  minute.  No  further  lower-, 
ing  could  be  obtained  at  this  pumping  rate.  Droughts  do  not  appear  to 
have  any  noticeable  effect  upon  the  water  level. 


A  record  has  been  obtained  from  the  J.   P.  Miller  Artesian  Well 
Company  of  a  well  drilled  in  1899  for  the  Illinois  Condensing  Company. 

Log  of  well  at  Mourn 

Elevation— 848 ±   feet 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Clay,   sand,   and   gravel 154  154 

"Rock",    probably    limestone 24  178 

Shale    127  305 

Limestone    258  563 

Marl,    red 2  565 

Limestone    49  614 

Sandstone   (St.  Peter) 66  680 

Shale,  white   15  695 

Limestone,  sandy  120  815 

Limestone,  and  white  shale 55  870 

Sandstone    50  920 

Marl,  red    40  960 

Limestone    145  1105 

Sandstone,  and  sandy  shale 270  1375 

The  water  level  at  completion  was  105  feet  below  the  surface;  the 
present  static  head  is  not  known. 

ELGIN 

The  geological  succession  at  Elgin  is  indicated  by  the  accompanying 


KANE   COUNTY 


167 


log,  compiled  by  Professor  Savage  from  the  driller's  log  and  from  a 
study  of  a  few  samples  of  the  drillings.  The  main  water-bearing  forma- 
tions are  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  and  the  "Potsdam"  group.  The  dif- 
ferent strata  lie  at  shallower  depths  in  the  vicinity  of  Elgin  than  in 
the  territory  to  the  east  and  west,  because  the  elevations  in  Elgin  and 
also  at  other  points  in  the  Fox  River  valley,  are  from  100  to  200  feet  less 
than  on  the  bordering  uplands. 

Log  of  Elgin   city  loell 

Elevation— 738±  feet 

(Geologic  interpretation  by  T.  E.  Savage) 

Thickness     Depth 

Description    of    strata  Feet  Feet 
Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent 

Clay,  sand,  and  gravel;  yellowish  gray 38  38 

Silurian  system 

Alexandrian  limestone 

Dolomite   and   limestone 27  65 

Ordovician  system 

Maquoketa  shale 

Shale    .  . . . 50  115 

Galena-Platteville   limestone 

Dolomite,  gray  to  dark  gray;   crystalline 70  185 

Dolomite,  like  the  preceding   140  325 

Dolomite,  gray  to  brown;   subcrystalline. 75  400 

Dolomite,  like  the  preceding 85  485 

Dolomite,  like  the  preceding 75  560 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone;  clean  rounded  grains 80  640 

Sandstone,  like  the  preceding 62  702 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Dolomite,   light  gray;    subcrystalline 48  750 

Dolomite,  like  the  preceding 130  880 

Dolomite,  gray  to  brown,  some  sand 20  900 

Shale,  slightly  sandy,  pink 115  1015 

Shale,  calcareous,  bluish  gray  to  gray 35  1050 

Cambrian  system 

"Potsdam"  group 

Sandstone;    rather   large,    clean,    rounded    grains 250  1300 

Shale,  calcareous,  light  pink 50  1350 

Dolomite,  light  gray  74  1424 

Sandstone;  rounded  grains 156  1580 

Shale,  slightly  calcareous,  gray  to  bluish  gray 55  1635 

Sandstone;    rounded   grains 5  1640 

Sandstone,  light  pink;  rather  fine  grains 145  1785 

Sandstone,  like  the  preceding,  but  larger  grains 195  1980 

Sandstone,  pink;   moderate-sized  grains 25  2005 


168  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  municipal  water  supply  is  furnished  by  four  deep  wells,  three 
of  which  are  about  1,350  feet  deep,  the  other  is  2,005  feet.  The  deepest 
well  was  drilled  in  1901  and  was  tested  to  determine  the  yield  at  differ- 
ent horizons.  After  drilling  to  the  full  depth  of  2,005  feet  a  pump- 
ing test  was  made  in  which  the  yield  and  amount  of  lowering  was  noted. 
A  plug  was  then  placed  at  1,400  feet  and  another  test  made.  The  re- 
sults as  to  yield  and  lowering  did  not  seem  to  differ  essentially  from 
those  obtained  before  plugging.  Therefore  the  other  wells  were  drilled 
only  to  a  depth  of  approximately  1,350  feet. 

The  city  wells  are  only  about  50  feet  from  Fox  River,  and  approx- 
imately 150  feet  apart.  The  pumping  is  accomplished  by  a  shaft  and 
tunnel  system.  In  the  interior  of  the  pumping  station  a  circular  shaft, 
120  feet  in  depth  and  9  feet  in  diameter  is  sunk  to  the  Galena-Platteville 
limestone.  Two  circular  tunnels  9  feet  in  diameter  dug  in  the  Ma- 
quoketa  shale  lead  off  from  the  bottom  of  the  shaft.  One  tunnel  con- 
tains the  pipe  that  taps  the  2,005-foot  well ;  the  other  tunnel  is  connected 
to  the  three  remaining  wells.  The  wells  are  16  inches  in  diameter  at  the 
surface  and  cased  to  a  depth  of  140  feet  or  about  20  feet  below  the  tun- 
nels ;  the  diameter  at  the  bottom  is  8  inches. 

At  the  time  the  wells  were  drilled  a  flow  of  sulphurous  water  was 
obtained  from  either  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  or  the  underlying  cherty 
horizon.  The  flow  ceased  as  the  depth  increased.  The  present  water, 
however,  is  characterized  by  a  noticeable  amount  of  hydrogen  sulphide. 

The  static  head  at  rest  in  1914  was  reported  to  be  about  14  feet  below 
the  surface ;  the  curb  elevation  is  742  feet.  The  water  level  recedes  to 
at  least  115  feet  on  heavy  pumpage.  The  recovery  is  very  rapid  so  that 
in  a  few  hours  after  the  pumping  has  ceased,  the  water  has  returned  to 
its  original  level.  The  static  head  in  1903  at  the  time  the  wells  were 
drilled,  was  11  feet  below  the  surface. 

Some  other  deep  wells  in  the  city  are  those  of  the  National  Brewery, 
Elgin  Watch  Works,  and  Borden's  Condensed  Milk  Co.  The  two  wells 
at  the  Elgin  Watch  Works  are  500  and  2,000 ±  feet  in  depth.  It  may  be 
that  the  500-foot  well  penetrates  the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  as  it  is  reported 
to  have  flowed  until  the  city  wells  were  drilled.  At  present  the  water  is 
about  30  feet  below  the  surface.  The  temperature  of  the  water  was 
54.7°E.  The  2,000-foot  well  is  very  old  and  may  be  somewhat  filled 
up.     The  temperature  was  61.3PF. 

The  analyses  of  the  waters  from  the  wells  at  the  Elgin  Watch 
Works  are  given.     The  water  from  the  500-foot  one  is  the  softer,  al- 


KANE  COUNTY  169 

though  its  total  mineral  content  is  greater  than  that  of  the  deeper  well 
water.  The  water  from  the  shallower  well  is  used  in  the  boilers,  but 
with  daily  alternation  with  that  from  Fox  River.  Although  no  scale  is 
formed  some  sludge  is  deposited. 


The  city  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  well  about  850  feet  deep 
in  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  The  location  is  near  Fox  River  and  at  a  low 
elevation.  The  diameter  at  the  surface  is  10  inches  and  at  the  bottom 
8  inches. 

The  well  would  flow  about  50  gallons  per  minute,  in  1911,  but  this 
was  not  sufficient  so  that  pumping  was  necessary.  The  static  head  at 
present  is  within  a  few  feet  of  the  surface.  Pumping  is  effected  by 
means  of  an  air-lift  system  at  the  rate  of  about  300  gallons  per  minute. 
The  average  daily  consumption  is  350,000  gallons.  The  water  contains 
scarcely  a  trace  of  hydrogen  sulphide. 

Formerly  there  was  a*  2,500-foot  well  at  the  court  house,  and  an- 
other one  2,000  feet  in  depth  at  the  Pope  Glucose  Company ;  these  have 
been  abandoned  for  many  years. 

MAPLE    PARK 

The  village  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  well  250  feet  in  depth. 
The  entire  thickness  is  reported  to  be  in  drift.  The  maximum  yield  has 
not  been  determined,  but  the  pump  delivers  40  gallons  per  minute.  The 
analysis  indicates  a  water  with  only  a  moderate  amount  of  dissolved 
mineral  matter.  If  used  untreated  in  boilers,  a  small  amount  of  soft 
scale  would  be  formed. 

MONTGOMERY 

The  village  of  Montgomery  adjoins  Aurora  on  the  south.  The 
Montgomery  Magnesia  Spring  Company  has  a  flowing  well,  although 
the  static  head,  which  is  about  4  feet  above  the  surface,  is  shut  in.  The 
location  is  on  the  banks  of  Fox  River,  and  the  curb  elevation  is  about 
8  feet  above  the  water  level  in  the  stream.  The  depth  is  probably  about 
115  feet.  The  analysis  of  the  water  shows  that  the  principal  constituent 
is  sodium  carbonate.    The  water  is  bottled  and  sold  in  the  vicinity. 

There  are  a  few  other  flowing  shallow  rock  wells  in  this  vicinity, 
as  at  Riverview  Park  about  a  mile  south  of  Montgomery  and  at  the 
Chicago,  Burlington,  and  Quincy  Railroad  sheep  barns,  about  half  a 
mile  west  of  Montgomery. 


170  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

MOOSEHEART 

The  school  at  Mooseheart,  established  by  the  Order  of  Moose,  is 
located  about  a  mile  south  of  Batavia.  The  water  supply  is  furnished 
by  a  1,840-foot  well,  and  another  deep  well  is  being  drille.  The  forma- 
tions are  similar  to  those  at  Batavia.  The  St.  Peter  sandstone  at  a 
depth  of  585  feet  has  a  thickness  of  248  feet,  whereas  at  Batavia  it  is 
309  feet.  The  curb  elevation  at  Mooseheart  is  709  feet.  The  static  head 
at  rest  in  1914  was  28  feet  below  the  surface;  the  effects  of  pumping 
were  not  known. 

The  water  contains  a  moderate  amount  of  dissolved  mineral  matter, 
the  greater  part  of  which  is  in  the  form  of  the  bicarbonates  of  calcium 
and  magnesium. 

ST.    CHARLES 

The  city  water  supply  is  furnished  by  two  wells,  one  of  which  is 
350  feet  and  the  other  850  feet  deep.  The  shallow  well  is  located  at  the 
water  works  on  the  banks  of  Fox  River;  the  yield  is  120  gallons  per 
minute,  and  the  temperature  of  the  water  is  51.5°F.  The  water  is  ob- 
tained from  crevices  in  the  Niagaran  limestone.  The  850-foot  well  is 
located  at  a  separate  pump  house  half  a  mile  or  more  from  the  water- 
works station.  This  deeper  well  penetrates  the  St.  Peter  sandstone ;  the 
ground  elevation  is  748  feet,  which  is  about  53  feet  greater  than  that  at 
the  350-foot  well.  The  St.  Peter  well  is  pumped  at  the  rate  of  150  gal- 
lons per  minute;  the  surface  diameter  is  10  inches,  and  it  is  probably  8 
inches  at  the  bottom.  The  static  head  in  the  850-foot  well  at  the  time 
it  was  drilled  in  1913  was  50  feet  below  the  surface.  The  level  in  1914 
while  pumping  about  150  gallons  per  minute  was  89  feet.  The  pumping 
was  stopped  for  25  minutes  and  the  water  rose  to  within  55  feet  of  the 
surface.  The  analyses  of  the  waters  from  the  two  wells  are  given.  The 
St.  Peter  water  is  not  so  hard  a  water  as  that  from  the  Niagaran  lime- 
stone or  350-foot  well.  However,  the  St.  Peter  water  has  a  sulphur 
taste  and  odor  which  is  absent  in  the  water  from  the  shallow  well. 

The  St.  Charles  School  for  Boys  2  miles  west  of  town,  has  three 
wells.  Two  of  the  wells  are  1,108  and  1,320  feet  in  depth,  respectively; 
the  other  is  a  shallow  well  of  an  unknown  depth.  The  deeper  wells  ob- 
tain their  water  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  and  the  1,320-foot  well 
may  possibly  penetrate  the  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group.  The 
surface  elevation  at  the  1,320-foot  well  is  788 ±  feet,  and  the  water  level 
was  93.5  feet  below  the  surface  one-half  hour  after  cessation  of  pump- 
ing. This  is  essentially  the  same  level  as  noted  in  the  city  well  pene- 
trating the  St.  Peter  when  the  differences  in  ground  elevation  are  taken 
into  consideration.     The  analyses  of  the  waters  from  the  1,108  and  the 


KANKAKEE   COUNTY  171 

1,320-foot   wells   are   very   similar  to   that   of   the   850-foot   one   at    St. 
Charles. 

VIRGIL 

The  Borden  Condensed  Milk  Company  has  a  "Potsdam"  well  1,580 
feet  deep.  The  yield  is  at  least  120  gallons  per  minute.  The  static  head 
is  not  known. 

KANKAKEE  COUNTY 

Physiography 

Kankakee  County  is  situated  along  the  eastern  border  of  the  State 
directly  south  of  Will  County.     The  total  area  is  668  square  miles. 

The  topography  of  the  county,  as  a  whole  is  that  of  a  monotonous 
plain.  The  maximum  relief  of  probably  not  much  more  than  150  feet 
has  been  brought  about  by  Kankakee  River.  The  part  of  the  county 
west  of  Iroquois  and  Kankakee  rivers  presents  a  very  level  appearance; 
the  slight  depressions  are  in  many  places  characterized  by  marsh  con- 
ditions. The  area  north  of  the  Kankakee  has  somewhat  more  relief,  but 
has  nevertheless  a  rather  level  surface  broken  only  by  creeks  and  occa- 
sional sloughs.  Likewise,  in  the  southeastern  townships  there  are  exten- 
sive marsh  areas. 

The  major  drainage  is  effected  by  Kankakee  River  and  its  tribu- 
taries. This  stream  flows  across  the  central  portion  of  the  county  in 
a  westward  direction,  leaving  the  county  in  the  northwestern  part  and 
finally  joining  with  the  Desplaines  to  form  the  Illinois.  The  headwaters 
of  minor  tributaries  of  the  Illinois  drain  the  extreme  western  tier  of  town- 
ships. A  large  portion  of  the  county  is  inadequately  drained  because 
of  the  flat  topography ;  marshes   and  swamps  exist  in  many  localities. 

Geology 
The  greater  part  of  the  county  has  a  drift  covering  which  ranges 
in  thickness  from  a  few  to  a  hundred  or  more  feet.  Along  the  Kankakee 
and  its  immediate  tributaries  the  drift  is  so  thin  that  bed  rock  outcrops 
in  a  number  of  places.  In  the  extreme  northeastern  townships,  near  the 
border  of  the  Valparaiso  morainic  area,  thicknesses  of  50  to  100  feet  have 
been  recorded.  The  depth  to  bed  rock  at  St.  George  and  at  Manteno 
ranges  from  10  to  20  feet.  Much  of  the  northern  part  of  the  county 
west  from  Manteno  has  only  a  thin  coating  of  surface  deposits ;  the  rock 
outcrops  some  of  the  streams.  In  the  extreme  southwestern  corner, 
along  the  border  of  the  Marseilles  moraine,  the  drift  thickness  in  six 
wells  ranged  from  100  to  162  feet.1 


1  Leverett,  Frank,  The  Illinois  Glacial  Lobe:  U.   S.  Geol.   Survey  Monograph   38, 
p.   654,   1899. 


172  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

Rock  is  encountered  in  the  vicinity  of  Irwin  and  Hersher  at  depths 
of  40  to  60  feet.  The  drift  is  generally  thin  from  Union  Hill  east  to 
the  Kankakee ;  but  westward  from  this  village  to  the  county  line  the 
thicknesses  range  from  50  to  100  feet.  At  St.  Anne  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  county,  bed  rock  is  found  at  about  60  feet. 

The  bed  rock  formation  underlying  all  of  the  county,  outside  of  a 
narrow  strip  along  the  western  border,  is  the  Niagaran  limestone.  This 
formation  outcrops  in  places  along  the  Kankakee  and  its  major  tribu- 
taries. The  strata  rise  toward  the  west  so  that  formations  underlying  the 
Niagaran  are  brought  to  the  surface. 

Professor  Savage1  has  described  a  limestone  at  Essex  which  is 
"intermediate  in  age  between  the'  Niagran'  and  Maquoketa  shale. 
He  named  this  formation  the  Essex  limestone  and  assigned  it  to  the 
middle  part  of  his  Alexandrian  series.  The  Maquoketa  shale  is  the  next 
formation  of  any  considerable  extent  which  outcrops  to  the  west  of  the 
Niagaran  limestone  region  and  forms  a  north-south  strip  a  few  miles 
in  width.  The  outcrops  of  the  Alexandrian  series  occur  between  the 
Niagaran  and  Maquoketa  areas,  but  because  of  their  thinness  they  have 
not  been  separately  mapped  as  yet.  The  large  area  of  Pennsylvania  coal- 
bearing  strata  to  the  west,  extends  into  this  county  long  its  western 
border. 

The  strata  have  an  eastward  dip  of  about  17  feet  to  the  mile,  as 
calculated  from  the  outcrop  of  the  Maquoketa  at  Essex  and  its  depth 
at  Kankakee.  There  seems  to  be  a  very  slight  dip  toward  the  north ; 
the  St.  Peter  sandstone  in  South  Chicago  is  at  an  altitude  80  feet  lower 
than  at  Kankakee,  a  difference  that  would  give  a  dip  of  2  feet  to  the 
mile. 

The  only  accurate  record  of  deep  drilling  in  this  county  is  from  Kan- 
kakee. The  wells  at  the  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane  are  over  1,800 
feet  in  depth,  but  no  log  was  kept  of  the  strata  below  the  St.  Peter  sand- 
stone. The  geological  succession,  as  determined  from  a  study  of  the 
drillings  by  Professor  Udden2,  is  similar  to  that  at  Joliet  and  Chicago. 
The  St.  Peter  sandstone  was  struck  in  the  Kankakee  well  at  a  depth  of 
890  feet;  the  curb  elevation  is  approximately  615  feet.  Toward  the  west 
part  of  the  county  the  depths  to  this  waer-bearing  formation  will  grad- 
ually decrease  so  that  it  will  probably  be  found  at  650  to  750  feet  below 
the  surface.  The  depth  to  this  formation  increases  eastward  from  Kan- 
kakee and  probably  in  the  townships  along  the  eastern  border  it  is  over 
1,150  feet  below  the  surface. 


1  Savage,  T.  E.,   Stratigraphy  and  paleontology  of  the  Alexandrian   series   in   Illi- 
nois and  Missouri:  111.  State  Geol.  Survey  Bull.  23,  1913. 

2  Udden,   J.  A.,   Some   deep  borings   in  Illinois:   111.   State  Geol.   Survey  Bull.   24, 
1914. 


KANKAKEE   COUNTY  173 

The  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group,  which  is  the  chief  water- 
bearing horizon  at  Joliet  and  Chicago,  was  encountered  in  the  Kanka- 
kee wells,  but  its  depth  was  not  recorded.  This  formation  at  Joliet  was 
struck  about  600  feet  below  the  top  of  the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  and  this 
figure  can  be  used  for  calculations  in  Kankakee  County. 

The  Pennsylvanian  strata  in  the  western  tier  of  townships  is  com- 
monly a  series  of  shales,  sandy  shales,  and  thin  sandstones,  and  a  few 
thin  coal  beds.  In  many  places  the  waters  from  these  beds  are  sulphurous 
or  salty. 

Underground  Waters 
sources 

The  ground  waters,  which  have  been  extensively  utilized,  are  ob- 
tained from  the  Niagaran  limestone  or  the  drift  deposits.  The  only  deep 
wells  in  the  county  are  at  the  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane  at  Kankakee. 
The  Valparaiso  morainic  system  in  Will  County  forms  a  collecting 
reservoir  for  the  rainfall  creating  a  condition  favorable  for  ground 
waters  in  that  part  of  Kankakee  County  north  of  the  Kankakee ;  supple- 
mentary favoring  factors  are  the  sandy  soil,  flat  topography,  and  south- 
ward slope  of  the  land  surface.  The  slight  relief  and  somewhat  sandy 
soil  prevent  excessive  run-off  in  other  parts  of  the  county  as  well.  The 
only  information  regarding  the  static  head  of  the  artesian  water  from  the 
deeper  strata  has  been  obtained  at  Kankakee.  This  will  be  discussed  in 
the  description  of  the  water  resources  at  that  locality. 

CHEMICAL  CHARACTER 

The  waters  from  the  Niagaran  limestone  are  rather  hard  as  indi- 
cated in  the  analyses.  The  chief  salts  are  the  carbonates  of  calcium  and 
magnesium  with  a  considerable  amount  of  magnesium  sulphate.  In  the 
western  tier  of  townships  many  of  the  wells  penetrate  the  Pennsylvan- 
ian strata  underlying  the  drift  and  produce  sulphurous  or  even  salty 
water ;  in  this  connection  the  conditions  at  Reddick  should  be  noted. 

Wells  of  a  depth  much  greater  than  1,850  feet  may  be  expected  to 
furnish  a  highly  mineralized  water.  This  inference  is  drawn  from  the 
deep  well  at  Kankakee,  and  it  is  believed  that  similar  conditions  exist 
in  other  parts  of  the  county.  However,  where  the  deep  wells  receive 
large  additions  of  waters  from  the  upper  strata,  the  final  product  from 
the  well  will  be  considerably  modified. 

LOCAL     SUPPLIES 
KANKAKEE 

The  source  of  the  municipal  water  supply  is  Kankakee  River,  but 
the  water  is  treated  before  usage.  There  are,  however,  a  number  of 
rock  wells  drilled  in  the  city  in  addition  to  two  at  the  Hospital  for  the 
Insane  which  penetrate  the  "Potsdam"  group. 


174  AKTESIAN   WATEKS    OF   NOKTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  Niagaran  limestone  wells  are  represented  by  the  one  at  the 
Radeke  Brewery  and  those  at  the  Kankakee  Pure  Milk  Company.  The 
well  at  the  Radeke  Brewery  is  225  feet  in  depth  and  8  inches  in  diameter 
at  the  surface.  The  location  is  within  75  feet  of  the  Kankakee,  about 
7  feet  above  the  water  level  in  the  stream.  The  yield  is  at  least 
80  gallons  per  minute  with  the  working  barrel  of  the  pump  at  a  depth  of 
65  feet ;  the  water  level  is  not  known.  The  analysis  indicates  a  hard 
water,  but  it  is  used  in  beer  making  after  preliminary  heating  which 
precipitates  some  of  the  dissolved  mineral  matter. 

The  Kankakee  Pure  Milk  Company  has  two  Niagaran  limestone 
wells,  one  112  feet  and  the  other  205  feet  in  depth.  The  latter  is  cased 
with  10-inch  pipe  to  a  depth  of  30  feet  or  27  feet  below  the  bed-rock 
surface.  The  yield  is  from  75  to  100  gallons  per  minute  with  the  work- 
ing barrel  at  a  depth  of  60  feet ;  no  diminution  of  the  water  supply  has 
ever  been  noted.  The  water  level  is  about  17  feet  below  the  ground 
surface,  but  the  effects  of  pumping  are  not  known.  Although  the 
112-foot  well  is  of  a  much  smaller  bore  it  delivers  about  25  gallons  per 
minute.  The  analysis  indicates  a  hard  water  with  a  rather  large  amount 
of  dissolved  mineral  matter.  The  water  is  used  for  boiler  purposes  after 
softening. 

The  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  situated  immediately  south  of 
Kankakee  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  owns  two  interesting  wells, 
drilled  in  1908-09.  They  are  located  approximately  275  feet  apart  in 
a  north-south  direction  near  Kankakee  River,  at  an  elevation  of  about 
10  feet  above  the  water  in  the  stream.  The  drillings  from  one  of  the 
wells  down  to  a  depth  of  1,090  feet  or  through  the  St.  Peter  sandstone 
were  studied  by  Prof.  J.  A.  Udden.1  This  record  is  given  on  the  accom- 
panying pages.  The  strata  below  the  St.  Peter  were  not  recorded,  but 
they  are  very  probably  similar  to  those  at  Joliet,  although  some  varia- 
tions in  the  thicknesses  may  occur. 

Well  No.  1,  or  the  north  well,  was  originally  drilled  through  the 
St.  Peter  sandstone,  and  a  pumping  test  gave  a  yield  of  about  200  gallons 
per  minute.  In  order  to  preclude  all  possibility  of  any  water  from  the 
drift  or  upper  part  of  the  Niagaran  limestone  entering  the  well,  about 
100  feet  of  15-inch  surface  pipe  was  carefully  sealed  at  the  bottom  with 
concrete.  A  pumping  test  was  again  made  after  this  casing  had  been 
placed  and  sealed  off;  but  only  a  small  amount  of  water  was  obtained, 
and  a  great  lowering  of  the  water  level  followed,  indicating  a  strong  flow 
of  Niagaran  limestone  water  into  the  well  at  the  time  the  first  test  was 
made.    In  an  attempt  to  obtain  a  greater  yield,  the  drilling  was  continued 


1  Udden,  J.   A.,   Some  deep  borings  in  Illinois:   111.   State   Geol.   Survey   Bull.   24, 
50,   1914. 


KANKAKEE   COUNTY  175 

to  a  depth  of  1812  feet  and  the  well  was  finished  5  inches  in  diameter  at 
the  bottom.  At  the  present  time  about  250  gallons  per  minute  can  be 
pumped,  but  the  water  has  a  very  high  mineral  content. 

The  second  well  was  drilled  in  1909  to  a  depth  of  1,847  feet.  The 
15-inch  surface  pipe  is  about  75  feet  long;  the  hole  is  about  5  inches  in 
diameter  at  the  bottom.  In  this  well  the  surface  pipe  was  not  sealed  off 
as  in  the  previous  one,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  large  ad- 
ditions of  water  are  obtained  from  the  Niagaran  limestone.  Analyses  of 
the  two  waters  show  that  the  one  from  the  1,812-foot  well  in  which  the 
surface  pipe  was  sealed  off,  has  much  the  higher  mineral  content.  The 
temperature  of  this  water  is  61.5°F.  and  the  static  head  is  126  feet  below 
the  surface,  or  an  approximate  altitude  of  489  feet.  The  water  from  the 
1,847  foot  well  is  similar  to  that  from  the  Niagaran  limestone,  except 
that  the  mineral  content  is  somewhat  greater,  due  chiefly  to  an  increased 
amount  of  sodium  chloride.  The  temperature  is  56.2 °F.,  and  the  water 
level  is  51  feet  below  the  surface,  or  at  an  approximate  altitude  of 
564  feet.     The  yield  is  about  250  gallons  per  minute. 

The  water  from  the  1812-foot  well,  in  which  the  surface  pipe  was 
sealed  off  with  concrete,  has  the  following  "Potsdam"  characteristics : 
high  mineral  content,  chiefly  sodium  chloride,  or  salt ;  a  higher  tempera- 
ture than  waters  from  the  shallower  horizons ;  and  a  low  water  level. 
The  water  from  the  1,847-foot  well,  in  which  the  surface  pipe  was  not 
sealed  off,  is  similar  in  many  ways  to  that  from  the  Niagaran  limestone ; 
the  temperatures,  the  analyses  and  the  water  levels  are  alike.  Although 
some  of  this  water  is  probably  from  the  "Potsdam"  group,  by  far  the 
greater  amount  is  from  the  Niagaran  limestone. 

Prof.  Udden's  summary  of  his  interpretation  of  samples  from  one 
of  these  wells  is  as  follows : 

Log  of  well  at  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  Kankakee 
Drilled   in   1908 
Generalized  section1  Thickness 

Description  of  strata  Feet 

(Niagaran  limestone).    Dolomitic  limestone,  yellow,  white,  and  gray.  .       300 

Cincinnatian  shale 105 

Galena-Trenton    (upper  part).    Dolomitic  limestone   of  mostly  coarse 

texture  and  light  color 355 

Galena-Trenton     (lower    part).      Dolomitic    limestone    of    prevailing 

darker  shale  and  finer  texture 120 

Dolomitic    limestone,    partly    pure    and    partly    containing    embedded 
sand,  with  some  green  shale  probably  in  separate  seams.     Beds  of 

transition 15 

(St.  Peter  sandstone).    White,  well  worn  quartz  sand 190 

1  Udden,  J.  A.,  Some  deep  borings  in  Illinois:  111.  State  Geol.  Survey  Bull.  24. 
T.    50,    1914. 


176  ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

MANTENO 

The  drift  in  the  vicinity  of  Manteno  is  thin,  so  that  the  Niagaran 
limestone  lies  within  15  to  20  feet  of  the  surface.  The  dug  wells  draw 
their  supply  from  the  drift  overlying  the  bed  rock. 

The  source  of  the  municipal  water  supply  is  three  wells  that  pene- 
trate the  Niagaran  limestone.  The  largest  well  is  15  feet  in  diameter 
and  60  feet  in  depth.  It  is  lined  with  concrete  to  a  depth  of  20  feet  or  3 
feet  below  the  surface  of  the  bed  rock.  At  the  bottom  there  is  a  tunnel 
connection  with  No.  3  well,  situated  15  feet  to  the  west.  The  depth  of 
No.  3  is  426  feet ;  there  is  17  feet  of  10-inch  surface  pipe  and  the  bottom 
diameter  is  6  inches.  The  normal  water  level  is  40  feet  below  the  surface. 
The  rate  of  inflow  into  these  two  wells  is  about  225  gallons  per  minute, 
but  the  large  well  can  be  emptied  in  approximately  two  hours  when  pump- 
ing at  the  rate  of  450  gallons  per  minute. 

There  is  also  a  310-foot  well  located  60  feet  west  from  No.  3 ;  the 
diameter  at  the  surface  is  10  inches  and  at  the  bottom,  8  inches.  An 
abandoned  well  88  feet  deep  and  6  inches  surface  diameter  is  located 
about  10  feet  south  from  the  310-foot  one. 

The  water  is  hard  and  would  form  considerable  tenacious  scale  if 
used  in  boilers  without  softening.     The  analysis  is  given. 

MOMENCE 

Most  of  the  private  wells  are  from  12  to  40  feet  in  depth,  although 
rarely  a  deeper  one  is  drilled.  The  water  source  is  either  a  sand  and 
gravel  stratum  overlying  the  Niagaran  limestone  or  the  bed  rock  itself. 

The  city  supply  is  furnished  by  four  wells  located  near  Kankakee 
River;  the  diameters  are  8  inches,  and  the  Niagaran  limestone  is  pene- 
trated, but  the  depths  are  not  known.  The  water  level  is  within  12  to  20 
feet  of  the  surface.  Two  of  the  wells  are  close  to  the  river  and  the  water 
levels  in  the  streams  and  wells  are  practically  the  same  although  there 
is  no  direct  connection. 

The  average  daily  pumpage  is  about  320,000  gallons  which  is  ac- 
complished in  approximately  16  hours  of  operation.  There  is  no  analysis 
of  the  water  but  it  is  hard  and  forms  scale  when  used  untreated  in  boilers. 


The  village  has  no  municipal  supply,  but  some  data  in  regard  to  the 
ground  waters  has  been  obtained.  The  drift  is  from  60  to  75  feet  thick 
and  is  underlain  by  strata  of  the  Pennsylvania!!  system.  This  bed  rock  in 
many  places  contains  sulphurous  water  and  in  many  instances  large 
amounts  of  salt. 

The  well  at  the  town  hall  is  probably  268  feet  deep,  the  casing  is 
G  inch,  but  the  length  is  not  known.     The  material  penetrated  below  the 


KENDALL  COUNTY  177  ! 

drift  was  the  Pennsylvanian  to  a  depth  of  about  184  feet,  and  the  remain- 
der was  limestone.  The  water  obtained  is  too  salty  for  drinking  pur- 
poses ;  the  analysis  is  given.  A  4-inch  drift  well  at  the  school  house  is 
66  feet  deep  and  yields  a  water  of  fair  quality  that  is  used  for  drinking. 
If  it  is  not  possible  in  this  vicinity  to  develop  satisfactory  supplies 
from  the  drift,  the  St.  Peter  or  deeper  horizons  should  be  tried ;  the 
upper  strata  to  the  base  of  the  lowest  coal  bed  at  least  and  preferably 
much  deeper,  should  be  cased  off.  The  St.  Peter  sandstone  will  probably 
be  found  at  from  TOO  to  750  feet  and  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone  about 
600  feet  deeper.  The  quality  of  the  waters  at  these  deeper  horizons  will 
very  probably  be  better  than  those  obtained  within  a  few  hundred  feet 
of  the  surface. 

KENDALL  COUNTY 
Physiography 

Kendall  County  is  located  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  State,  south 
of  Kane  County  and  west  of  the  northern  portion  of  Will  County.  The 
total  area  is  324  square  miles. 

The  Marseilles  moraine1  enters  the  county  in  the  northeast  corner, 
follows  the  west  border  for  four  or  five  miles  and  then  swings  abruptly 
to  the  west,  crossing  the  county  in  a  southwestward  direction.  Its  west- 
ern border  is  from  less  than  a  mile  to  not  over  4  miles  south  of  Fox 
River.  Its  average  width  is  2  or  3  miles.  The  elevations  along  this 
morainic  belt  are  from  100  to  125  feet  higher  than  those  of  the  lower 
lands  to  the  northwest.  The  ground  moraine  south  of  the  Marseilles 
terminal  moraine  averages  about  75  feet  less  in  elevation.  The  surface 
of  the  terminal  moraine  is  characterized  by  knolls,  24  to  40  feet  in 
height  covering  an  area  of  a  few  acres,  and  separated  by  saucerlike, 
irregular-shaped  depressions  generally  poorly  drained.  Another  elevated 
strip  along  the  eastern  border  of  the  county  called  the  Minooka  Ridge2 
is  scarcely  2  miles  wide  and  has  terminal-moraine  topography. 

Fox  River  and  its  tributaries  have  accentuated  the  relief  somewhat 
in  the  northwestern  townships.  The  elevations  along  the  river  are  about 
100  feet  below  those  on  the  uplands  a  few  miles  distant.  The  topography 
of  the  remainder  of  the  county  outside  the  morainic  areas  and  Fox  River 
Valley  is  flat.     The  relief  is  very  slight,  and  the  slopes  are  gentle. 

The  drainage  of  the  northern  and  northwestern  parts  of  the  county 
is  effected  to  the  southwest  by  Fox  River  and  its  tributaries.     The  re- 


1  Leverett,    Frank,    The    Illinois    glacial    lobe:    U.    S.    Geol.    Survey    Monograph 
38,    p.    309,    1899. 

2  Leverett,   Frank,    Idem,   p.   319,   1899. 


178  AETESIAN   WATEES    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

mainder  of  the  county  drains  southeastward  to  Illinois  River  through 
Aux  Sable  Creek  and  minor  streams. 

Geology 

The  greater  part  of  the  county  is  covered  by  a  mantle  of  drift,  which 
probably  averages  100  feet  in  thickness  and  is  composed  mainly  of  blue 
till  (unstratified  drift)  which  is  characterized  by  a  large  amount  of  clay 
and  only  a  moderate  amount  of  coarse  rock  material.  The  drift  is  thin 
along  the  south-central  border  between  the  Marseilles  moraine  and  the 
Minooka  Ridge  and  is  thickest  along  the  Marseilles  moraine  where  depths 
of  200  feet  have  occasionally  been  reported.  Wells  of  125  to  150  feet 
in  which  the  bed  rock  has  not  been  encountered  are  not  unusual. 

There  are  few  rock  outcrops  except  along  Fox  River.  However,  at 
least  five  different  formations  underlie  the  drift  in  the  different  parts  of 
the  county.  The  oldest  known  formation  to  be  exposed  is  the  St.  Peter 
sandstone,  which  is   found  along  the  river  at  Millington. 

The  strata  have  a  dip  to  the  east  that  amounts  to  at  least  23  feet 
per  mile  between  Millington  and  Joliet.  This  dip  causes  the  older  forma- 
tions to  successively  disappear  under  the  next  younger.  Therefore,  be- 
ginning with  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  at  Millington  and  going  eastward 
the  following  strata  are  the  bed-rock  formations  in  order :  Galena-Platte- 
ville  limestone,  Maquoketa  shale,  Alexandrian  limestone  and  the  Niagaran 
limestone.  Strata  of  Pennsylvanian  age  occupy  a  few  square  miles  of 
territory  in  the  extreme  southwestern  corner  of  the  county. 

Underground  Waters 

sources 

Although  the  drift  is  of  a  considerable  thickness  over  the  great  part 
of  the  county,  the  shallow  wells  do  not  produce  large  supplies  because 
much  of  the  drift  is  clay.  Along  Fox  River  the  shallow  wells  penetrate 
gravel  deposits  above  the  bed  rock  and  obtain  quantities  sufficient  for 
domestic  purposes. 

Few  wells  over  1,000  feet  deep  have  been  drilled  in  the  county, 
so  that  little  is  known  regarding  the  waters  from  the  deeper  strata.  In 
the  vicinity  of  Millington,  where  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  is  near  the 
surface,  a  number  of  farm  wells  draw  water  from  this  formation.  Flow- 
ing wells  are  obtained  occasionally  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  in  locali- 
ties of  low  elevation. 

LOCAL  SUPPLIES 
OSWEGO 

The  village  supply  is  furnished  by  a  dug  well  22  feet  deep  and  14  feet 
in  diameter.    The  material  penetrated  is  drift  except  for  the  lower  4  feet 


LAKE   COUNTY  179 

which  is  in  Niagaran  limestone.  The  water  level  is  about  10  feet  below 
the  surface,  and  the  approximate  daily  pumpage  is  18,000  gallons.  The 
analysis  indicates  a  fairly  hard  water;  scale  would  form  if  it  were 
used   for  boiler  purposes  without  treatment. 

PLANO 

The  water  supply  is  furnished  by  a  dug  well  located  at  the  Steward 
Mill  in  the  east  part  of  the  village.  The  well  is  10  feet  in  diameter  and 
14  feet  in  depth ;  it  is  located  about  50  feet  from  Big  Rock  Creek.  The 
lining  of  the  well  is  concrete,  so  that  all  the  water  enters  from  the  bot- 
tom. The  mill  furnishes  the  power  for  the  pumping  of  120,000  gallons 
per  day. 

The  only  record  of  a  deep  well  in  the  county  is  from  one  on  Fox 
River  bottoms,  %y2  miles  south  and  a  little  east  of  Piano.  The  drillings 
were  studied  by  J.  A.  Udden  and  his  descriptions  are  given  below. 1 

Log  of  well  near  Piano,  Illinois 
Generalized  section 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent 

Clay,  sand,   and  gravel 40  ?  40  ? 

Ordovician  system 

Galena-Platteville   limestone 

Limestone,   dolomitic    550  590 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone    135  725 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Limestone,  dolomitic  with  occasional  thin  beds   of  sand- 
stone        385  1110 

YORKVILLE 

The  Marseilles  moraine,  bordering  the  town  on  the  southeast,  has 
a  number  of  springs  along  its  base.  Likewise,  shallow  wells  less  than  50 
feet  deep  furnish  supplies  sufficient  for  domestic  purposes.  The  source 
of  the  village  water  supply  is  a  number  of  springs  in  the  Marseilles 
moraine  about  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  town.  The  water  flows  from  the 
springs  into  a  collecting  basin  from  which  it  is  pumped  to  a  reservoir 
at  a  higher  elevation.     It  then  flows  by  gravity  to  the  village. 

LAKE  COUNTY 
Physiography 
Lake  County  is  situated  in  the  extreme  northeastern  corner  of  the 


1  Udden,   J.    A.,   Some   deep   borings   in   Illinois:    111.    Geol.    Survey   Bull.    24,   p.    45, 
1914. 


180  AETESIAN   WATEES    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

State.  Lake  Michigan  forms  its  eastern  and  the  Wisconsin  line  its  north- 
ern boundary.    The  total  area  is  455  square  miles. 

The  west  half  of  the  county  is  occupied  by  the  Valparaiso  morainic 
system  and  is  therefore  characterized  by  a  hummocky  relief  or  knoll-and- 
basin  topography.  The  hills  range  from  10  to  50  feet  above  the  general 
surface,  although  a  few  of  the  larger  ones  are  100  feet  above  the  lower 
areas.  Shallow  lakes,  which  are  rarely  over  50  feet  in  depth,  are  scat- 
tered among  the  knolls,  and  marshes  exist  in  many  of  the  depressions. 
The  greatest  altitudes  are  in  the  southwest  part  near  Lake  Zurich  where 
elevations  of  nearly  900  feet,  or  over  300  feet  above  Lake  Michigan  have 
been  recorded. 

The  topography  of  the  eastern  half  is  undulating  and  not  so  rough 
as  that  to  the  west.  No  distinct  bluff  is  developed  along  Lake  Michigan 
from  the  northern  border  south  to  Zion  City.  From  this  point  southward, 
a  bluff  gradually  develops  which  at  Waukegan  is  about  40  feet  in  height. 
Its  distance  from  the  lake  lessens  toward  the  south;  two  or  three  miles 
north  of  Waukegan  there  is  over  a  mile  of  lake  flats  whereas,  a  few  miles 
south  of  that  city  the  lake  waters  are  at  the  base  of  the.  cliff.  The  height 
of  the  bluff  from  North  Chicago  to  Lake  Forest  averages  about  70  feet. 

The  entire  county  is  characterized  by  inadequate  drainage.  In  the 
northwest  part  numerous  shallow  lakes  range  in  size  from  a  few  acres 
to  several  square  miles.  Many  of  the  depressions  are  not  well  drained, 
so  that  marshes  prevail  in  many  areas.  The  western  townships  drain 
westward  by  small,  winding  streams  that  finally  join  to  form  Fox  River 
which  flows  southward.  The  eastern  half  of  the  county  drains  south- 
ward through  Desplaines  River  and  the  north  branch  of  Chicago  River 
which  here  are  little  larger  than  creeks. 

Geology 

The  mantle  of  drift  covering  the  entire  county  has  probably  an 
average  thickness  of  more  than  200  feet  and  is  composed  of  stony  blue 
clay  with  irregular  beds  of  sand  and  gravel.  In  the  lake  region  of  the 
northwestern  townships  much  sand  is  reported  in  the  drift. 

In  many  of  the  wells  the  rock  surface  is  lower  than  the  water  level 
in  Lake  Michigan.  Leverett  believes  that  the  rock  surface  will  scarcely 
average  as  high  as  that  of  the  lake.1 

The  depth  to  bed  rock  around  the  station  at  Zion  City  is  about 
1  15  feet,  but  about  two  miles  to  the  west  along  the  ridge,  the  drift  is  185 
to  L90  feet  thick.  Along  the  lake  bluff  south  from  Waukegan  it  is  175 
to  over  200  feel  to  bed  rock.  At  Grays  Lake  rock  was  struck  at  230 
feel   and  in  the  vicinity  of  Libertyville  at  about  200  feet.     The  greatest 


1  Leverett,    I<\,    The    Illinois    Glacial    Lobe:    IT.    S.    Geol.    Survey    Monograph    38 
p.  579,  1S!C). 


LAKE   COUNTY  181 

thicknesses  of  drift  are  recorded  from  the  southwestern  townships ;  at 
Lake  Zurich  a  297-foot  well  did  not  strike  rock,  and  at  Barrington,  just 
south  of  the  county  line,  it  is  about  250  feet  to  rock. 

The  bed-rock  formation  underlying  the  entire  county  is  probably 
the  Niagaran  limestone.  The  underlying  strata  are  indicated  by  the  de- 
tailed records  from  Lake  Forest  and  Grays  Lake.  The  formations  below 
the  St.  Peter  are  more  sandy  than  in  the  areas  further  south,  as  at 
Joliet.  The  strata  have  a  slight  eastward  dip,  probably  not  over  10  or  12 
feet  to  the  mile,  and  the  southward  dip  is  less,  as  very  little  difference 
was  noted  between  the  altitude  of  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  at  Zion  City 
and  Ravinia. 

Underground  Waters 

sources 

At  the  present  time  the  greater  number  of  towns  along  Lake  Michi- 
gan obtain  their  municipal  supply  from  the  lake,  but  formerly  the  source 
was  deep  wells.  The  deeper- wells  draw  their  supplies  from  the  St.  Peter, 
Prairie  du  Chien,  and  "Potsdam"  formations.  The  strata  below  the  St. 
Peter  in  this  area  have  a  greater  development  of  sandstones  than  in  the 
regions  farther  south  which  creates  favorable  conditions  for  underground 
waters. 

The  chief  source  of  ground  water  in  this  county  is  either  from  sandy 
beds  in  the  drift  or  the  underlying  Niagaran  limestone.  Only  a  few  of 
the  larger  towns  have  drilled  deep  wells. 

The  static  head  of  the  waters  from  the  deeper  strata  is  sufficient 
to  produce  flowing  wells  in  the  extreme  northeast  corner  of  the  county. 
A  flow  may  also  be  obtained  at  the  low  elevations  that  prevail  along 
the  base  of  the  lake  bluff.  The  recession  of  the  static  head  has  not 
been  so  great  as  in  Cook  County  to  the  south.  A  1,568-foot  well  at 
Zion  City  in  1901  had  a  static  head  of  30  feet  above  the  ground  surface, 
or  an  approximately  680-foot  elevation.  This  well  flows  at  present  at 
a  curb  elevation  of  648  feet,  but  the  head  is  not  much  above  the  curb. 
The  1,900-foot  well  at  Lake  Bluff  had  a  head  of  45  feet  above  the  sur- 
face thirty  years  ago.  The  water  level  at  present  is  45  feet  below 
the  ground,  or  at  an  altitude  of  approximately  635  feet.  The  water 
level  in  the  recently  completed  1920-foot  well  at  the  country  estate  of 
Ogden  Armour,  two  miles  west  of  Lake  Forest,  was  42  feet  below  the 
surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  648  feet. 

chemical  character 

The  mineral  content  of  the  waters  from  the  drift  and  Niagaran 
limestone  have  shown  considerable  variation.     The  bicarbonates  of  cal- 


182  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

cium  and  magnesium  usually  dominate,  but  varying  amounts  of  the 
sulphates  of  magnesium,  calcium,  and  sodium  may  be  present.  It  is  de- 
sirable, and  in  many  cases  necessary,  to  soften  the  water  before  it  is 
used  in  boilers. 

Many  of  the  Niagaran  limestone  wells  yield  a  water  that  contains 
some  hydrogen  sulphide.  Generally  the  amount  is  not  great,  but  in  some 
instances  the  water  is  objectionable  for  drinking  purposes  to  people 
not  accustomed  to  it.  A  few  deeper  drift  wells  have  yielded  a  some- 
what sulphurous  water. 

It  is  impossible  to  draw  any  detailed  conclusions  regarding  the 
waters  from  the  deeper  strata,  because  the  wells  are  cased  only  to  bed 
rock  and  varying  amounts  of  water  from  the  upper  strata  enter  the 
wells.  The  essential  difference  between  the  deeper  waters  and  those 
from  the  Niagaran  limestone  is  in  the  absence  of  hydrogen  sulphide  in 
the  former,  and  in  its  presence  in  the  latter. 

The  1,991-foot  well  belonging  to  E.  S.  Moore  at  Lake  Forest  is 
cased  to  a  depth  of  1,660  feet.  The  water  delivered  has  a  total  mineral 
content  of  29.899  grains  per  gallon,  of  which  23.157  grains  were  in- 
crusting  solids.  From  the  analysis  given  it  is  seen  that  some  of  the 
Niagaran  limestone  waters  have  as  low  a  mineral  content. 

LOCAL  SUPPLIES 
GENERAL    STATEMENT 

Nearly  all  the  towns  along  the  lake  shore  draw  their  municipal 
water  supplies  from  Lake  Michigan ;  Many  deep  wells  have  been 
abandoned  in  favor  of  the  softer  lake  water.  The  recession  of  the 
water  table  has  also  been  instrumental  in  bringing  about  a  change  in 
the  source  of  the  municipal  supplies. 

GRAYS     LAKE 

The  Wisconsin  Condensed  Milk  Company  has  recently  completed 
a  1,040-foot  well.  The  drillings  were  collected  at  intervals  of  10  feet, 
and  the  record  obtained  from  a  study  of  these  samples  follows : 

Log  of  well  owned  oy  Wisconsin  Condensed  Milk  Co.,  Grays  Lake,  Lake  County 

Elevation— 800±  feet 

Drilled  in  1916,  by  S.  B.  Geiger,  Chicago 

Generalized  section11 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent 

Soil,    clay,    sand    and    gravel 230  230 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran  limestone 

Dolomite,  light  gray  to  gray,  fine  grained  to  subcrystalline       110  340 


LAKE   COUNTY  183 

Log  of  well  owned   by   Wisconsin   Condensed  Milk   Go. — Concluded 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Shale,  chocolate  colored 20  360 

Dolomite,  light  gray  to  straw  color,  subcrystalline 50  410 

Ordovician  system 

Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,  gray  to  drab,  dolomitic 10  420 

Dolomite,  drab,  granular   20  440 

Shale,  gray 10  450 

Dolomite,  gray,  shaly 10  460 

Shale,  light  gray 10  470 

Dolomite,  light  gray,  with  drab  shale 20  490 

Shale,  gray  to  drab 50  540 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,   gray  to  straw  color,   crystalline 300  840 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  gray  to  white 30  870 

Dolomite,  light  gray,  fine  grained,  sandy 20  890 

Sandstone,  white;   grains  of  medium  size,  clear,  rounded  150  1040 

a  The  detailed  log-  of  this  well  compiled  from  study  of  samples  is  to  be  found 
in  the   Survey  files   if  desired  for  reference. 

GTJRNEE 

A  1,580-foot  well  was  drilled  in  1912  for  the  Bowman  Dairy  Com- 
pany. The  water  level  at  that  time  was  just  at  the  surface,  or  at  an 
altitude  of  about  670  feet.     There  are  no  further  data. 

Shallow,  flowing  wells  are  obtained  in  the  village  from  the  drift  and 
bed  rock ;  the  collecting  area  is  probably  the  higher  region  to  the  east. 
The  water  is  somewhat  sulphurous. 

HIGHLAND    PARK 

The  source  of  the  public  water  supply  is  Lake  Michigan.  The  deep 
wells  owned  by  the  city  have  been  abandoned  for  a  number  of  years. 

The  analysis  is  given  of  the  water  from  a  flowing  well  at  the  Till- 
man farm,  one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Highland  Park.  This  is  a  2-inch 
driven  well,  180  feet  deep  and  penetrates  the  Niagaran  limestone  for 
15  feet.  The  water  will  flow  at  the  rate  of  2  gallons  per  minute,  but  the 
pressure  is  shut  in,  so  that  only  about  450  gallons  per  day  is  delivered. 
The  water  is  bottled  and  sold  in  the  vicinity  for  drinking  purposes. 
There  is  enough  hydrogen  sulphide  present  to  give  the  water  a  slight 
sulphur  taste  as  it  comes  from  the  well,  but  this  is  rarely  noted  after  the 
water  has  been  bottled.  The  water  is  rather  hard,  but  is  preferred  by 
many  to  that  obtained  from  the  lake. 

The  analysis  indicates  that  a  similar  water  is  obtained  from  the  well 
owned  by  R.  Tillman.     The  location  is  across  the  road  and  only  a  few 


184 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


hundred  feet  from  the  previously  described  well  at  the  Tillman  farm. 

The  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company  has  drilled  a 
1,760-foot  well  at  their  Blodgett  watering  station,  about  a  mile  west  of 
Highland  Park.  The  geological  succession,  as  indicated  by  the  driller's 
record  is  shown  in  the  accompanying  log.  A  16-inch  casing  extends 
from  the  surface  to  a  depth  of  121  feet,  and  770  feet  of  10-inch  casing 
extends  from  288  feet  to  1,058  feet.  The  water  from  the  St.  Peter 
sandstone  is  therefore  shut  out,  but  it  is  possible  for  Niagaran  limestone 
water  to  enter. 

The  analysis  indicates  a  water  of  low  mineral  content;  a  very 
similar  water  is  furnished  by  the  498-foot  Niagaran  limestone  well  at 
Lake  Bluff.  The  water  tastes  strongly  of  hydrogen  sulphide  in  which 
it  resembles  other  waters  from  the  bed  rock  in  this  region.  The  yield 
is  about  300  gallons  per  minute  for  about  5  hours  per  day ;  neither  the 
water  level  nor  effects  of  pumping  are  known. 

Log  of  Chicago  and  Northwestern  Railway  Company  at  Blodgett  in  the  SW.  1/4 
NW.  I/4  sec.  27,  T.  43  N.,  R.  12  E. 


Elevation— 650±feet 


Description  of  strata 


Clay,  yellow 
Clay,  blue  . 
Hard  pan  .  . 
Limestone  . 
Shale    


Limestone    

Shale    

Limestone    

Sandstone 

Sandstone  and  shale 

Shale,  red 

Limestone  

Limestone  and  shale. 

Sandstone    

Shale    


St.  Peter. 


Limestone    

Sandstone  and  shale 
Limestone  and  shale. 
Sandstone  and  shale, 

Limestone    

Shale  and  sandstone 
Shale  and  sandstone 

Sandstone    

Shale    

Sandstone     


ickness 

;  Depth 

Feet 

Feet 

20 

20 

60 

80 

40 

120 

240 

360 

15 

375 

25 

400 

85 

485 

320 

805 

95 

900 

133 

1033 

25 

1058 

10 

1068 

57 

1125 

30 

1155 

25 

1180 

20 

1200 

130 

1330 

130 

1460 

100 

1560 

10 

1570 

30 

1600 

40 

1640 

40 

1680 

5 

1685 

75 

1760 

LAKE     COUNTY  185 

HIGHWOOD 

The  municipal  supply  is  lake  water  obtained  from  the  Highland 
Park  pumping  station.  A  1, 753-foot  well  has  been  drilled  for  the  Chi- 
cago and  Milwaukee  Railroad  Company;  the  strata  penetrated  are  sim- 
ilar to  those  at  Blodgett.  The  well  is  operated  only  a  few  hours  per  day 
at  the  rate  of  about  75  gallons  per  miunte. 

LAKE    BLUFF 

The  village  has  3  deep  wells,  the  depths  of  which  are  300,  498,  and 
about  1,900  feet.  The  chief  sources  of  supply  are  the  498-  and  1,900-foot 
wells,  as  the  other  one  is  rarely  used.  The  498-foot  well  is  cased  to 
bed  rock  with  194  feet  of  10-inch  pipe,  and  the  diameter  at  the  bottom 
is  8  inches ;  the  yield  is  about  55  gallons  per  minute.  The  deeper  well  is 
over  30  years  old,  and  the  exact  dimensions  are  not  known ;  however, 
a  yield  of  75  gallons  per  minute  can  be  obtained.  The  original  static 
head  was  about  45  feet  above  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  approxi- 
mately 725  feet.  The  present  level  is  45  feet  below  the  ground ;  the 
effects  of  pumping  are  not  known. 

The  water  from  the  shallower  well  is  softer  than  that  from  the  deeper 
one  and  is  therefore  preferred.  The  temperature  of  the  water  from  the 
498-foot  well  was  52.5°  F.  and  that  from  the  1,900-foot  well  was 
63.7°  F. 

LAKE    FOREST 

The  city  supply  is  drawn  from  Lake  Michigan,  but  a  few  deep  wells 
have  been  drilled  at  neighboring  country  estates  of  Ogden  Armour,  R.  S. 
Moore,  Miss  Culver,  Hobart  Taylor,  and  Alfred  L.  Baker. 

There  are  2  deep  wells  at  the  Armour  estate  about  two  and  a  half 
miles  west  of  Lake  Forest.  The  old  well  is  1,623  feet  deep  and  delivers 
about  200  gallons  per  minute.  The  analysis  indicates  a  fairly  hard  water ; 
an  odor  of  hydrogen  sulphide  indicates  that  probably  some  additions  are 
received  from  the  Niagaran  limestone. 

A  new  1,920-foot  well  is  cased  with  164  feet  of  21-inch  surface  pipe, 
and  90  feet  of  18-inch  casing  extends  through  Maquoketa  shale.  The 
water  level  is  42  feet  below  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  648  feet. 
The  yield  on  a  30-hour  test  was  between  400  and  500  gallons  per  minute ; 
the  amount  of  recession  during  pumping  is  not  known. 

In  drilling  the  new  Armour  well  a  small  flow  of  gas  was  obtained 
just  below  the  contact  of  the  drift  and  bed  rock,  or  at  a  depth  about 
147  feet.  The  flow  on  July  6,  1915,  was  218  cubic  feet  per  hour,  and  the 
pressure  was  1.5  pounds  per  square  inch.  The  gas  was  cased  off,  and 
the  drilling  continued.  The  analysis  made  by  Paul  Rudnick  of  Armour 
and  Company  is  given  below. 


186  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Analysis  of  gas  at  Armour  well,  Lake  Forest 

Per  cent 

Methane  (marsh  gas) 81.5 

Ethane 2.5 

Inert   gases 16.0 


Total    100 . 0 

British  thermal   units   per   cubit   foot 910 . 

In  drilling  a  264-foot  well  on  the  same  property,  the  well  driller 
reported  finding  in  the  drillings  from  the  Niagaran  limestone  gobs  of  a 
dark-colored  substance  resembling  crude  oil  which  would  burn  when 
thrown  on  the  fire.  The  Niagaran  limestone  in  other  localities,  as  in  the 
Chicago  area,  shows  dark-colored,  bituminous  blotches.  The  presence 
of  this  substance  may  account  for  the  noticeable  content  of  hydrogen 
sulphide  in  the  Niagaran  limestone  waters. 

Log  of  well  on  estate  of  Ogden  Armour,  near  Lake  Forest,  in  the  SW.  l/.'i  BE.  1/lf. 

sec.  36,  T.  U  N.t  R.  11  E. 

Elevation— 690 ±   feet 

(Drilled  in  1915-16  by  Whitney  Well  Co.,  Chicago) 

Generalized   section* 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 
Pleistocene  and  recent 

Soil,  sand,  and  gravel 147  147 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran  limestone 

Dolomite   253  400 

Ordivician  system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale 167  567 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  light  gray  to  cream  colored,  subcrystalline.  . .  .       308  875 

St.   Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone 35  910 

Dolomite     20  930 

Sandstone    90  1020 

Prairie  du  Chien  limestone 

Chert,  white,  with  shale  and  dolomite,  and  some  sand. ...         60  1080 

Dolomite,  light  gray  to  cream  colored,  subcrystalline....         80  1160 

Dolomite,  light,  reddish  brown,  subcrystalline,  sandy,  glau- 

coniferous;  and  dolomitic  sandstone  80  1240 

Cambrian  system  ? 
"Potsdam"  group 

Sandstone,  white,  with  occasional  dolomite  and  shale  lay- 
ers            680  1920 

a  The  detailed  log1  of  this  well,  compiled  from  study  of  samples,  is  to  be  found 
in  the  Survey  files  if  needed  for  reference. 


LAKE  COUNTY  187 

A  1,991-foot  well  was  drilled  in  1913  for  R.  S.  Moore  at  Lake 
Forest.  To  obtain  a  water  of  low  mineral  content  and  no  hydrogen 
sulphide,  the  water  pipe  was  continued  to  a  depth  of  1,660  feet  and 
sealed  with  a  rubber  packer.  Analysis  of  the  water  made  by  the  Dear- 
born Chemical  Company  is  appended ;  a  moderate  amount  of  hardness  is 
indicated.    The  water  is  reported  to  have  no  order  or  taste  of  sulphur. 

LAKE    ZUEICH 

The  village  water  supply  is  furnished  by  a  218-foot  drift  well.  The 
entire  distance  is  cased  with  6-inch  pipe.  No  accurate  log  was  kept,  but 
the  material  was  reported  to  be  entirely  sand  and  gravel  below  a  depth 
of  100  feet.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  100  feet  below  the  surface,  but 
the  effects  of  pumping  are  not  known.  The  average  daily  consumption 
is  4,000  gallons. 

The  appended  analysis  indicates  a  sulphate  water  with  so  great  a 
content  of  calcium  and  magnesium  that  large  amount  of  tenacious  scale 
would  be  formed  if  the  water  were  used  for  boiler  purposes. 

LIBERT  YVILLE 

The  public  supply  is  furnished  by  3  drift  wells,  2  of  which  are 
180  feet  and  the  other  170  feet  in  depth.  The  dimensions  range  from 
4  to  8  inches.  Two  of  the  wells  are  equipped  with  air-lift  pumping  sys- 
tems for  use  during  periods  of  exceptionally  heavy  demand.  The  aver- 
age daily  consumption  is  about  60,000  gallons. 

Other  wells  in  the  vicinity  are  flowing  and  the  collecting  area  is 
probably  the  higher  region  to  the  west.  Some  of  the  water  from  the 
private,  flowing  wells  is  bottled  and  sold.  The  water  is  rather  hard  and 
must  be  treated  before  it  is  satisfactory  for  boiler  purposes. 

RAVINIA    PARK 

The  water  supply  for  the  Park  is  furnished  by  a  1,096-foot  well 
that  pentrates  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  The  well  is  8  inches  in  diameter 
at  the  surface  and  yields  75  gallons  per  minute. 

The  analysis  of  the  water  is  given,  but  it  is  not  possible  to  say  that 
this  water  is  entirely  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  The  surface  casing 
extends  through  the  drift,  or  to  a  depth  of  161  feet,  but  this  does  not 
preclude  the  entrance  of  Niagaran  limestone  water.  The  mineral  con- 
tent is  rather  high,  and  there  is  a  considerable  amount  of  scale-forming 
solids. 


The  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  and  St.  Paul  Railway  Company  has  a  900- 
foot   well   in   the    St   Peter   sandstone.      This    water-bearing    formation 


188  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

was  struck  at  a  depth  of  870  feet ;  the  curb  elevation  is  approximately 
685  feet.  The  water  pipe  extends  to  a  depth  of  300  feet,  and  the  well 
is  finished  at  5  inches.     The  yield  is  not  known. 

The  total  mineral  content  is  33.5  grains  per  gallon  of  which  22 
grains  are  the  carbonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium  and  the  sulphate 
of  magnesium.     The  water  is  used  in  locomotives  after  some  softening. 

WAUKEGAN 

The  municipal  water  supply  was  formerly  obtained  from  3  deep 
wells,  but  these  were  abandoned  in  1894,  and  lake  water  has  since  been 
used.  The  use  of  the  well  waters  was  discontinued  because  of  the  hard- 
ness which  made  it  unsuitable  for  boiler  use. 

A  2,200-foot  well  is  located  near  the  Chicago  and  North  Western 
Railway  station  at  the  foot  of  the  bluff,  so  that  the  altitude  (about  600 
feet)  is  at  least  50  feet  lower  than  that  of  the  land  to  the  west.  The 
well  flows  about  10  gallons  per  minute  at  an  elevation  of  3  feet  above 
the  surface ;  the  dimensions  and  amounts  of  casing  are  not  known.  The 
analysis  indicates  a  rather  hard  water ;  no  trace  of  hydrogen  sulphide 
was  noted. 

Flowing  wells  from  the  drift  or  Niagaran  limestone  are  also  obtained 
along  the  lake  flats,  as  illustrated  by  those  at  the  North  Shore  Gas 
Company.  This  firm  has  2  wells,  one  of  which  is  82  feet  in  depth  and 
does  not  penetrate  bed  rock.  The  diameter  is  6  inches  and  a  flow  of  about 
6  gallons  per  minute  is  obtained ;  the  static  head  is  about  2  feet  above 
the  surface.  The  other  well  is  145  feet  deep.  There  is  115  feet  of  8-inch 
casing  which  rests  probably  on  the  bed  rock.  The  flow  is  approximately 
10  gallons  per  minute  and  the  static  head  about  10  feet  above  the  sur- 
face. The  analyses  indicate  similar  waters  that  are  moderately  hard  and 
are  softened  before  using  in  boilers.  A  very  slight  trace  of  hydrogen  sul- 
phide was  thought  to  be  present  in  the  water  from  the  145- foot  well ; 
none  was  noted  in  that  from  the  other  well.  The  water  temperature 
of  the  shallow  well  was  54.2°  F.  and  of  the  other  54.6°  F. 

ZION     CITY 

In  1901  and  1902  the  city  dilled  3  wells  that  range  in  depth  from 
about  1,140  to  1,568  feet.  Two  of  the  wells  are  located  near  the  station 
at  an  altitude  of  approximately  595  feet,  and  the  other  one  is  about 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  to  the  west  at  an  elevation  of  about  648  feet. 
The  driller's  record  of  the  latter  well  is  given  below. 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY  189 

Log  of  well  at  Shiloh  Park,  Zion  City. 

Elevation— 648 ±   feet 

Thickness     Depth 

Description    of    strata  Feet  Feet 

Clay,   sand,  and  gravel 113  113 

Limestone     337  450 

Shale    100  550 

Limestone     90  640 

Shale,  red;    probably  shaly  limestone 135  775 

Limestone 75  850 

Sandstone  (St.  Peter)  ;  overflow  at  925 190  1040 

Marl,   red 20  1060 

Sandstone  and  red  marl 50  1110 

Marl,   red    25  1135 

Sandstone  and  red  marl 25  1160 

Sandstone    125  1285 

Shale,   blue    105  1390 

Sandstone 60  1450 

Sandstone  and  limestone   40  1490 

Sandstone   10  1500 

Marl,    red    20  1520 

Sandstone   and   red   marl 10  1530 

Marl,  red   5  1535 

Sandstone 34  1569 

All  these  wells  flow  at  the  present  time,  but  since  the  wells  were 
drilled  the  static  head  has  receded  from  25  to  30  feet.  The  1,569-foot 
well,  which  is  at  the  highest  elevation,  flows  at  the  rate  of  approximately 
200  gallons  per  minute,  but  the  head  is  only  a  few  feet  above  the  surface. 
A  large  portion  of  the  city,  and  particularly  the  business  section,  is 
situated  at  an  elevation  about  20  feet  lower  than  the  curb  of  the  1,569-foot 
well.  The  water  therefore  flows  directly  into  the  mains,  and  the  pipe 
pressure  is  hydrostatic.  The  lowering  of  the  water  table  has  made  the 
pressure  in  the  mains  very  low  in  many  parts  of  the  city.  The  analyses 
indicate  a  rather  hard  water  that  would  require  softening  to  make  it 
satisfactory  for  boiler  use. 

LA   SALLE   COUNTY 

Physiography 

LaSalle  County  is  situated  in  the  north-central  part  of  the  State ; 
the  counties  of  Bureau  and  Putnam  adjoin  it  on  the  west,  and  the 
counties  of  Kendall  and  Grundy  on  the  east.  It  is  next  to  the  largest 
county  in  the  state  and  has  an  area  of  1,146  square  miles. 

The  county  as  a  whole  is  a  flat,  upland  area  which  has  an  average 
altitude  of  650  to  750  feet.  However,  the  continuity  of  this  plain-like 
region  is  interrupted  by  prominent  topographic  features.     The  chief  of 


190  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

these  is  Illinois  Valley,  which  divides  the  county  in  an  east-west  di- 
rection into  two  nearly  equal  parts.  The  Illinois  has  here  formed  a 
valley  about  2  miles  wide  and  200  feet  deep.  The  major  tributaries  of 
this  stream,  particularly  Vermilion  and  Little  Vermilion  rivers,  have 
likewise  carved  gorge-like  canyons  near  their  mouths.  The  bed  rock  has 
been  cut  deeply,  so  that  precipitous  bluffs  border  the  streams. 

Another  prominent  topographic  feature  is  the  Marseilles  terminal 
moraine,  that  enters  the  county  along  the  eastern  border  from  the  south- 
west corner  of  Kendall  County.  This  elevated  belt  then  swings  south- 
westward,  is  cut  by  the  Illinois  between  Marseilles  and  Ottawa,  whence 
it  swings  somewhat  to  the  east  and  crosses  the  southern  border  of  the 
county  a  few  miles  east  of  Streator.  This  ridge  has  a  width  of  5  or  6 
miles  and  an  average  altitude  along  its  crest  of  about  750  feet.  The 
differences  in  elevation  between  points  on  the  moraine  and  those  on 
the  plains  to  the  west  are  from  75  to  a  100  feet  or  more.  The  slopes, 
however,  are  gentle;  the  topography  of  this  elevated  belt  is  somewhat  of 
a  knob-and-kettle  character  and  some  of  the  saucer-like  depressions  are 
not  well  drained. 

Another  morainic  belt,  called  Farm  Ridge,  emerges  from  the  Mar- 
seilles moraine  south  of  Grand  Ridge.  It  extends  east  and  northeast 
immediately  east  of  Vermilion  and  Little  Vermilion  rivers,  but  north  of 
the  Illinois  is  interrupted  by  gaps.  The  width  is  scarcely  over  a  mile, 
but  in  places  it  has  a  clearly  defined  terminal-moraine  topography. 

The  extreme  northwest  corner  of  the  county  is  crossed  by  the 
Bloomington  morainic  system.  The  elevations  along  its  crest  are  nearly 
900  feet.  This  gives  a  difference  in  elevation  in  the  count  of  about 
450  feet,  as  the  lowest  altitude  of  the  Illinois  is  approximately  450  feet. 

The  entire  county  lies  in  the  drainage  basin  of  the  Illinois  which  is 
the  master  stream  of  this  region.  The  river  flows  across  the  county  in 
a  westward  direction,  a  little  south  of  its  mid-latitude.  The  important 
tributaries  in  this  area  are  the  Vermilion,  the  Little  Vermilion,  and  Fox 
rivers.  The  northern  half  of  the  county  is  drained  on  the  west  by  the 
Little  Vermilion  and  on  the  east  by  Fox  River.  South  of  the  Illinois 
and  Vermilion  is  the  important  stream.  A  few  minor  tributaries  drain 
the  area  immediately  bordering  Illinois  River.  The  county,  as  a  whole, 
is  rather  well  drained  although  marshes  exist  around  some  of  the  head- 
waters of  the  upland  creeks.  The  flatness  of  the  upland  prairies  pre- 
vents rapid  run-off  during  heavy  rains. 

Geology 

The  greater  part  of  this  county  is  covered  by  a  mantle  of  glacial  de- 
posits, or  till,  although  the  major  streams  have  cut  valleys  deeply  into  the 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY  191 

bed  rock.  The  thickness  of  this  surface  deposit  varies  greatly  in  different 
parts  of  the  area.  Many  of  the  wells  in  the  uplands  enter  rock  at 
depths  of  50  feet  and  less,  except  in  the  northwestern,  eastern,  and 
southeastern  elevated  partions  of  the  county.  The  average  depth  to  rock 
in  55  deep  wells  on  the  uplands  and  8  wells  in  the  valleys  is  99  feet.  The 
average  depth  of  85  other  wells  situated  mainly  along  the  Marseilles 
moraine  is  89  feet.1 

Along  the  Bloomington  morainic  system  in  the  northwestern  corner 
of  the  county,  the  drift  has  a  thickness  of  over  200  feet.  Likewise  in  the 
area  of  the  Marseilles  moraine  the  depth  to  bed  rock  is  about  200  feet. 
In  the  southwestern  township  drift  thicknesses  of  150  feet  are  not  un- 
common. 

The  noteworthy  feature  of  the  rock  formations  in  this  county  is 
their  structure.  In  other  parts  of  northeastern  Illinois,  the  strata  are 
nearly  horizontal,  whereas  at  LaSalle  they  have  been  sharply  bent  into 
an  anticline  or  fold.  This  anticline  is  step-like  so  that  the  beds  of  the 
crest  have  an  eastward  dip,  whereas  immediately  west  of  the  anticline 
the  strata  plunge  downward  at  a  very  high  angle  before  they  again  rise 
toward  the  west. 

Along  the  crest  of  this  fold  which  is  commonly  spoken  of  as  the  La 
Salle  anticline  the  later-deposited  formations  have  been  removed  by 
erosion  so  that  the  older  beds  are  exposed.  Indeed  beds  outcrop  here 
which  in  regions  east  and  west  of  the  north-south  fold  are  hundreds 
of  feet  below  the  surface ;  for  example  at  La  Salle  the  strata  that  out- 
crop along  the  top  of  the  anticline  are  over  1,500  feet  below  the  surface 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  to  the  east.  From  this  maximum  depth,  the  beds 
again  rise  gradually  toward  the  west. 

The  trend  of  the  anticline  just  east  of  La  Salle  is  about  N.  27°  W. 
North  of  that  city  it  swings  a  few  degrees  to  the  west;  in  the  vicinity 
of  Lowell,  the  direction  is  nearly  north  and  south.2 

The  Galena-Platteville  limestone  is  the  bed  rock  formation  in  the 
greater  part  of  the  northern  one-third  of  the  county;  in  the  other  two- 
thirds,  the  Pennsylvania  strata  underlie  the  drift,  except  for  the  out- 
crops of  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  and  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone  along 
the  crest  of  the  La  Salle  anticline  and  in  the  major  stream  valleys. 

The  character  of  the  deeper  strata  can  be  determined  from  the 
different  logs.  The  great  thickness  of  the  Prairie  du  Chien  group  which 
includes  the  New  Richmond  sandstone  is  to  be  noted.     This  sandstone 


1  Leverett,    F..    The    Illinois    Glacial    Lobe:    U.    S.    Geol.    Survey    Monograph    38, 
p.    635,    1899. 

2  Cady,    G.   H.,    Geology   and   mineral    resources    of   the   Hennepin   and    La   Salle 
quadrangles:   111.   State  Geol.   Survey  Bull.   37,   1919. 


192  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

has  a  thickness  of  188  feet  at  Deer  Park,  according  to  a  well-driller's 
log,  but  thins  rapidly  toward  the  east  and  west.  A  sandstone,  probably 
the  New  Richmond,  is  given  in  the  well  log  from  Ottawa  which  has  a 
thickness  of  87  feet.  A  similar  sandstone,  80  feet  thick,  was  reported 
from  the  well  at  St.  Bedes  College,  a  little  over  a  mile  west  of  Peru. 

Underground  Waters 

sources 

The  chief  sources  of  the  ground  water  are  the  drift,  Galena-Trenton 
limestone,  St.  Peter  sandstone,  Prairie  du  Chien  and  Lower  Magnesian 
group,  and  to  some  extent  the  Pennsylvanian  series.  The  city  wells  at 
Ottawa  penetrate  the  "Potsdam"  sandstone. 

In  the  parts  where  the  drift  is  heavy,  as  along  the  morainic  areas, 
the  greater  number  of  private  wells  obtain  water  from  this  deposit.  In 
the  northern  half  of  the  county,  where  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  is  within 
a  few  hundred  feet  of  the  surface,  a  number  of  wells  tap  this  stratum. 
Along  the  Illinois  both  the  St.  Peter  and  the  New  Richmond  of  the 
Prairie  du  Chien  group  are  important  sources  of  ground  water. 

Flowing  wells  from  sand  and  gravel  beds  in  the  drift  have  been 
obtained  in  the  vicinity  of  Earlville  and  also  along  the  borders  of  the 
Marseilles  moraine.  Springs  occur  along  the  valley  of  the  Illinois  and 
its  large  tributaries,  as  the  Fox,  Vermilion,  and  Little  Vermilion. 

Several  of  the  deep-lying  strata  contain  water  under  sufficient  hy- 
drostatic pressure  to  create  flowing  wells  in  the  regions  of  low  altitude 
that  prevail  along  Illinois  valley.  The  wells,  as  a  rule,  have  only  a  small 
amount  of  casing,  so  that  it  is  not  always  possible  to  determine  which 
of  the  strata  are  water  bearing.  Flowing  wells  are  obtained  from  the  St. 
Peter  at  altitudes  from  about  500  feet  at  Marseilles  to  about  550  feet 
at  Peru.  The  greatest  head  of  the  St.  Peter  water  noted  in  the  county 
was  at  Mendota  where  it  was  68  feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an  altitude 
of  about  680  feet ;  however,  this  pressure  is  possibly  influenced  by  waters 
from  upper  strata. 

The  water  from  the  New  Richmond  has  a  head  a  few  feet  greater 
than  that  of  the  St.  Peter  at  Utica  ;  this  formation  has  a  head  of  about 
520  feet  and  yields  flowing  wells.  In  the  recently  completed  well  of  the 
Illinois  Zinc  Company  at  Peru,  the  static  head  was  30  feet  above  the 
surface  or  at  an  approximate  altitude  of  493  feet.  The  greater  part  of 
this  water  is  probably  from  the  New  Richmond  sandstone. 

The  Cambrian  sandstones  have  been  penetrated  at  Ottawa.  The 
city  wells,  which  are  1,200  feet  deep,  will  flow  to  a  height  of  a  foot 
above  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  485  feet.  The  flowing  Catlin 
well  at  Ottawa  is  1,840  feet  deep;  its  static  head  is  about  517  feet. 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY  193 

There  is  a  2,496-foot  flowing  well  at  Streator ;  the  curb  elevation  is 
approximately  618  feet.     The  water  is  too  highly  mineralized  to  be  used. 

CHEMICAL    CHARACTER 

A  number  of  analyses  of  the  ground  waters  in  this  county  are  given 
which  will  indicate  the  character  of  the  waters  from  the  different  strata. 
In  the  northern  half  of  the  county  the  water  from  the  Galena-Platteville 
limestone  and  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  is  of  good  quality  and  only  moder- 
ately mineralized.  In  the  vicinity  of  Wedron,  Ottawa,  and  Marseilles, 
the  St.  Peter  water  is  somewhat  sulphurous.  In  these  localities  this 
sandstone  is  not  far  below  the  Pennsylvanian  system,  or  else  these  rocks 
occur  in  the  neighborhood,  and  very  probably  affect  the  St.  Peter  water. 
The  St.  Peter  water  at  Streator  is  very  sulphurous  and  contains  a  large 
amount  of  the  alkalies. 

The  Pennsylvanian  rocks,  as  well  as  the  Niagaran  limestone  which 
in  places  underlies  them,  usually  yield  sulphurous  waters  which  are 
more  or  less  saline.  These  should  be  cased  off  so  as  not  to  contaminate 
the  better  waters  from  lower  depths. 

The  water  from  the  New  Richmond  sandstone  is  only  moderately 
mineralized  as  seen  by  the  analyses  from  Utica.  The  Ottawa  city  wells 
probably  obtain  their  greater  supply  from  one  of  the  upper  "Potsdam'* 
sandstones ;  the  mineral  content  is  low. 

Most  waters  from  depths  greater  than  1,700  are  rather  highly  min- 
eralized as  shown  in  the  analyses  of  the  waters  from  the  Catlin  well  at 
Ottawa  and  the  2,496-foot  well  at  Streator. 

LOCAL    SUPPLIES 
CEDAR  POINT 

The  village  supply  is  furnished  by  1,749-foot  well  owned  by  the 
La  Salle  Carbon  Coal  Company.  The  St.  Peter  sandstone  was  struck 
at  a  depth  of  1,610  feet,  or  at  an  altitude  of  957  feet  below  sea  level. 
The  casing  continues  from  the  surface  to  a  depth  of  900  feet ;  the  di- 
ameter of  the  top  is  16  inches,  and  the  bottom,  6  inches.  The  water 
rises  to  within  90  feet  of  the  surface,  or  to  an  altitude  of  563  feet.  The 
yield  during  a  pumping  test  was  183  gallons  per  minute ;  the  recession 
of  the  water  table  was  not  noted. 

DEER     PARK 

Eight  wells  ranging  in  depth  from  154  to  631  feet  are  distributed 
within  an  area  of  one  and  a  half  by  three  quarters  of  a  mile.  These  wells 
are  similar  in  size  and  capacity  to  those  at  Utica  except  that  the  head 
is   somewhat  lower.     The   chief   water-bearing   formations   are   the   St. 


194  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Peter   and    New    Richmond   sandstones.      The    latter    formation   has   a 
reported  thickness  of  188  feet,  which  is  the  maximum  noted  in  this  area. 

Log  of  well  at  Deer  Park  on  dank  of  Vermilion  River,  center  SE.  1/4  sec.  30,  T~ 

33  N.,  R.  2  E. 

Elevation— 660+    feet 

Thickness  Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Surface  material    3  3 

Limestone    ,. , 47  50 

Fire  clay   2  52 

Sandstone   (St.  Peter)    , 197  249 

Limestone     173  422 

Sandstone   (New  Richmond)    188  610 

Limestone 21  631 

EARLVILLE 

The  greater  number  of  farm  wells  in  this  vicinity  are  drilled  to  the 
St.  Peter  sandstone,  which  is  found  within  200  or  300  feet  of  the  sur- 
face. In  places  the  St.  Peter  has  been  reported  to  underlie  the  drift 
directly,  no  Galena-Platteville  being  present. 

The  village  water  supply  is  furnished  by  3  wells,  2  of  which  are  150 
feet  deep,  and  the  other,  a  new  one,  is  625  feet.  The  150-foot  wells 
are  10  inches  in  diameter  and  have  a  combined  pumpage  of  250  gallons 
per  minute.  The  new  well  is  16  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface,  but  its 
yield  is  not  known.  The  average  daily  consumption  for  the  village  is 
84,600  gallons. 

GRAND     RIDGE 

The  drift  is  very  heavy  in  this  vicinity,  as  the  location  is  on  the  slope 
of  the  Marseilles  morainic  system.  The  village  well,  which  is  160  feet 
in  depth,  does  not  reach  rock.  It  is  also  reported  that  the  sand  and 
gravel  bed  struck  at  about  150  feet  continues  to  195  feet,  below  which 
there  is  blue  clay  to  at  least  250  feet. 

Log   of  village  well   at   Grand   Ridge 
Elevation— 652±   feet 

Thickness  Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Soil     3  3 

Clay,   yellow    7  10 

Clay,  blue  105  115 

Sand,  no  water   10  125 

Sand  and  gravel;   contains  water 35  160 


150 


The  village  well  was  drilled  in  1914  at  a  cost  of  $568  which  included 
feet  of  10-inch  casing  with  a  14-foot  screen  at  the  bottom.     The 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY  195 

pumping  equipment  is  an  electrically  driven,  double-action,  deep-well 
pump  with  a  5^-inch  cylinder;  the  cost,  including  motor,  was  $2,043. 

The  water  level  on  the  completion  of  drilling  was  37.5  feet  below  the 
surface.  No  lowering  of  the  water  table  was  noted  after  a  22-hour  test 
of  70  gallons  per  minute.  However,  it  was  not  possible  to  make  the 
measurement  until  1.5  hours  after  the  cessation  of  pumping. 

The  water  has  a  low  mineral  content  and  would  form  only  a  small 
amount  of  soft  scale  if  used  for  boiler  purposes.  The  temperature  was 
53.2°  F. 

LA    SALLE 

The  source  of  the  municipal  water  supply  is  3  wells  that  range  from 
iy2  to  14  feet  in  diameter  and  are  about  40  feet  deep.  The  location  is 
along  the  Illinois  bottom  flats  and  at  no  great  distance  from  the  water's 
edge.     The  analysis  given  indicates  a  rather  hard  water. 

The  Matthiessen  and  Hegeler  Zinc  Company  completed  a  1619-foot 
well  in  1913.  The  water  pipe  is  8-inch  and  extends  from  the  surface 
to  a  depth  of  1030  feet  where  it  is  sealed  with  a  special  packer.  This 
casing  excludes  the  salt  water  from  the  Niagaran  limestone  and  the 
Pennsylvanian  series.  The  chief  sources  of  the  water  are  the  Galena- 
Platteville  limestone  and  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  The  water  level  at  the 
completion  of  the  well  was  65  feet  below  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of 
520  feet.  The  pumpage  is  about  150  gallons  per  minute  continuously 
but  the  recession  while  pumping  is  not  known.  The  water  contains  con- 
siderable mineral  matter,  of  which  the  greater  amount  is  the  salts  of 
sodium.  However,  the  content  of  calcium  and  magnesium  salts  is  not 
low,  and  it  is  reported  that  the  scale  formed  is  very  hard. 

LELAND 

The  village  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  230-foot  well  which 
probably  penetrates  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  A  10-inch  surface  pipe  ex- 
tends to  a  depth  of  about  100  feet ;  the  diameter  at  the  bottom  is  prob- 
ably 8  inches.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  8  feet  below  the  surface,  but 
the  effects  of  pumping  are  not  known.  However,  the  deep-well  pump, 
which  is  operated  only  a  few  hours  at  a  time,  delivers  225  gallons  per 
minute. 

The  analysis  indicates  a  water  with  only  a  moderate  amount  of  dis- 
solved solids ;  if  used  for  boiler  purposes  only  a  small  amount  of  scale 
would  be  formed. 

LOSTANT 

The  village  has  a  dug  well  which  is  70  feet  deep  and  5  feet  in  di- 
ameter. The  material  penetrated  was  practically  all  blue  clay  until  the 
sand  and  gravel  water-bearing  stratum,  was  struck  at  70  feet.     The  nor- 


196  AKTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

mal  water  level  is  35  feet  below  the  surface,  but  it  can  be  lowered  nearly 
to  the  bottom  after  pumping  for  an  hour  at  the  rate  of  about  70  gallons 
per  minute.  The  recovery  requires  about  two  and  one-half  hours.  The 
water  is  used  primarily  for  fire  protection  as  the  supply  is  inadequate 
for  other  uses.    There  is  no  mineral  analysis. 

MARSEILLES 

The  source  of  the  public  supply  is  2  wells  that  are  600  and  800 
feet  in  depth.  The  water-bearing  formations  are  the  St.  Peter  and  under- 
lying strata,  which  may  include  the  New  Richmond  standstone.  Both 
wells  will  flow,  but  the  600-foot  well  at  the  higher  elevation,  at  an  alti- 
tude of  about  505  feet,  is  equipped  with  an  air-lift  pumping  system. 
The  800-foot  well  flows  about  45  gallons  per  minute,  and  the  other  one 
12  gallons.  The  600-foot  well  will  pump  67  gallons  per  minute  with  the 
present  equipment.  The  dimensions  are  probably  8  inches  in  diameter  at 
the  surface,  and  6  inches  at  the  bottom.  The  analyses  given  is  of  the 
combined  waters,  as  it  was  not  possible  to  secure  separate  samples.  The 
water  is  moderately  hard,  and  it  is  advisable  to  soften  it  before  using  in 
boilers. 

Among  the  flowing  St.  Peter  wells  in  the  city  are  those  owned  by 
the  Howe  and  Davidson  Paper  Mills,  the  Crescent  Paper  Company, 
and  E.  T.  Hanshue.  These  wells  vary  in  diameter  from  1J4  to  about  3 
inches,  so  that  the  yields  are  low.  The  chemical  character  is  indicated  by 
the  analyses.  All  the  waters  have  a  noticeable  hydrogen  sulphide  content. 
This  is  particularly  true  for  the  shallow  well  at  the  Howe  and  Davidson 
Company.  There  has  been  a  recession  of  at  least  15  feet  in  the  head  of 
the  St.  Peter  water  during  the  past  20  years. 

A  number  of  years  ago  a  2,283-foot  well  was  drilled  on  the  farm 
of  R.  N.  Peddicord  about  3  miles  north  of  Marseilles.  The  driller's  log 
is  here  given. 

Log  of  an  artesian  well  on  the  farm  of  R.  N.  Peddicord  in  the  SW.  1/4  NE.  1/4 
sec.  32,  T.  34  N.,  R.  5  E.,  near  Marseilles,  La  Salle  County 
Elevation  of  the  surface  about  710   feet  above   sea  level 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata                                          Feet  Feet 
Pleistocene  and  Recent 

Soil   and    drift 165  165 

Pennsylvania  system 

Shale    (till   ?)    9  174 

Sandstone     8  182 

Shale 10  192 

Shale,  hard   7  199 

Sandstone    (sand  and  gravel) 70  269 

Shale    65  334 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY  197 

Log  of  the  Peddicord  well — Concluded 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 
Ordovician  system 

Galena-Platteville    limestone    25  359 

St.    Peter   sandstone 195  554 

Prairie  du  Chien  formation 

Sandstone,   calciferous    50  604 

Sandstone    45  649 

Limestone 265  914 

Sandstone,   calciferous    25  939 

Limestone  72  1011 

Sandstone,  hard 15  1026 

Limestone 95  1121 

Shale,  blue  73  1194 

Limestone    34  1228 

Shale 3  1231 

Limestone    20  1251 

Cambrian  system 

Sandstone     15  1266 

Sandstone,  white 265  1531 

Limestone    152  1683 

Shale,  blue 50  1733 

Shale,  red    5  1738 

Shale,  blue   . .  . 60  1798 

"Slate"     -.-..,. 112  1910 

Shale 9  1919 

Limestone     20  1939 

Sandstone    214  2153 

Limestone    5  2158 

Sandstone    125  2283 


MENDOTA 

The  public  water  supply  is   furnished  by  2  wells  in  the  St. 
sandstone.     The  depths  are  478  and  490  feet.     The  driller's  log 
deeper  one  is  given  below. 

Log  of  city  well  at  Mendota 

Elevation— 752±    feet  Thickness 

Description  of  strata  Feet 

Soil,  black    2 

Clay,  yellow    10 

Clay,  yellow ;  and  gravel 3 

Clay,  blue   35 

Gravel    4 

Clay,    blue    31 

Sand  and  gravel 6 

Clay,    blue 40 

Sand     4 

Gray,  boulder  clay  with  streaks  of  sand  and  gravel 25 

Limestone 280 

Sandstone    (St.  Peter)    50 


Peter 
of  the 


Depth 

Feet 

2 

12 

15 

50 

54 

85 

91 

131 

135 

160 

440 

490 


198  AKTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  surface  diameters  of  the  wells  are  probably  8  inches,  and  at  the 
bottom,  6  inches.  The  wells  are  equipped  with  air-lift  pumping  systems, 
and  the  combined  pumpage  is  about  460  gallons  per  minute.  The  average 
daily  pumpage  during  July,  1915,  was  550,000  gallons,  which  was 
pumped  in  about  20  hours.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  73  feet  below  the 
surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  679  feet ;  on  pumping  the  level  recedes  to  103 
feet.    The  static  head  has  receded  about  25  feet  during  the  past  20  years. 

The  Chicago,  Burlington,  and  Quincy  Railroad  and  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad  have  wells  which  are  480  and  563  feet  in  depth,  respectively. 
The  analyses  of  these  waters,  besides  that  of  the  city  well  water,  are 
given,  and  it  is  noted  that  they  are  similer.  The  mineral  content  chiefly 
carbonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium,  is  low.  However,  the  water  is 
softened  somewhat  for  locomotive  use  by  both  railroad  companies. 

The  well  owned  by  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  Railroad 
is  cased  to  bed  rock  with  136  feet  of  8-inch  pipe;  the  remainder  of  the 
bore  is  6  inches  in  diameter.  This  well  will  deliver  nearly  300  gallons 
per  minute;  the  average  rate  of  pumpage  is  about  175  gallons.  The 
water  level  is  similar  to  that  at  the  water  works ;  the  effects  of  pumping 
have  not  been  determined. 

OGLESBY 

In  1915  the  village  completed  a  1,645-foot  well,  the  chief  water-bear- 
ing formation  being  the  Galena-Platteville  limestone  and  the  St.  Peter 
sandstone.  The  latter  formation  was  encountered  at  a  depth  of  1,542 
feet  or  900  feet  below  sea  level.  No  appreciable  amount  of  water 
was  obtained  above  a  depth  of  about  815  feet.  Here  a  small  yield  of  a 
salty  character  was  struck  in  the  Niagaran  limestone.  The  well  was 
cased  from  the  surface  to  a  depth  of  about  880  feet ;  the  diameter  at  the 
surface  is  14  inches  and  at  the  bottom,  8  inches.  The  water  level  on 
completion  was  103  feet  below  the  ground  surface  or  at  an  altitude 
of  approximately  539  feet.  The  pumping  machinery  has  not  been  in- 
stalled, but  a  13-hour  test  was  made  in  June,  1915,  with  a  temporary 
equipment.  A  yield  of  180  gallons  per  minute  was  obtained,  but  the 
recession  during  pumping  was  not  determined. 

The  Chicago  Portland  Cement  Company  also  has  a  St.  Peter  well, 
which  is  j, 570  feet  in  depth.  The  record  of  the  different  strata  as  de- 
termined  from  a  study  of  the  drillings  is  given. 

In  drilling  this  well  salt  water  was  struck  at  a  depth  of  585  feet,  or 
immediately  below  the  Pennsylvania!!  system.  The  head  was  sufficient  to 
raise  the  water  within  180  feet  of  the  surface.  In  order  to  shut  out  this 
and  any  similar  water  from  the  Niagaran  limestone,  the  well  was  com- 
pletely cased  from  the  surface  to  a  depth  of  1,050  feet.  The  surface  di- 
ameter is  10  inches  and  the  lower  casing  is  6  inches. 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY  199 

Log  of  the  Chicago  Portland  Cement  Company's  deep  well  at  Oglesby 
Elevation — 605 ±   feet 

Generalized  section  a 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene    and.    Recent 

Clay,    sand,    and    gravel 64  64 

Pennsylvanian   system 

Shale,    with    occasional    thin    beds    of    limestone    coal    at 

320   feet    516  580 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran    limestone 

Limestone 290  870 

Dolomite   115  985 

Ordovician  system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,  calcareous,  and  limestone 75  1060 

Dolomite,  gray   (?)    65  1125 

Shale,  gray   (?)    25  1150 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  gray   40  1190 

Limestone,  gray   340  1530 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,  gray  and  white 40  1570 

a  The  detailed  log  of  this  well  compiled  from  study  of  samples  is  to  be  found 
in  the   Survey  files  if  desired  for  reference. 

OTTAWA 

The  municipal  water  supply  is  furnished  by  4  wells  about  1,200  feet 
deep,  except  one  which  is  1,449  feet.  There  are  also  2  other  deep  wells 
which  have  been  abandoned. 

The  wells  were  drilled  in  1894  to  about  the  bottom  of  the  St.  Peter 
sandstone.  In  1896  one  of  the  wells  was  deepened  to  1,500  feet;  the 
driller's   log  is  here  given : 

Log  of  city  well  at  Ottawa 
Elevation— 484  feet 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene    and    Recent 

Soil  and  yellow  clay 9  9 

Ordovician  system 

St.  Peter  sandstone  155  164 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Shale,    blue 5  169 

Limestone    124  293 

Sandstone   (New  Richmond) 87  380 


200  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Log  of  well  at  Ottawa — Concluded 

Thickness  Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Limestone     430  810 

Shale,  blue   110  920 

Limestone     40  960 

Cambrian  system 
"Potsdam"    group 

Sandstone   160  1120 

Sandstone  and   blue   shale   mixed 85  1205 

Shale,    blue 244  1449 

The  exact  size  of  this  well  is  not  known,  but  it  is  probably  8  inches 
at  the  surface  and  6  inches  at  the  bottom.  When  drilling,  the  water 
from  the  87-foot  sandstone  at  293  feet,  overflowed  at  the  rate  of  25  gal- 
lons per  minute.  As  the  drilling  progressed,  the  static  head  increased, 
so  that  at  810  feet  the  flow  was  300  gallons  per  minute.  At  1,120  feet 
the  rate  of  flow  was  400  gallons  per  minute,  but  no  increase  was  noted 
between  1,120  and  1,449  feet.  The  maximum  static  head  was  22.4 
feet  above  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  506  feet. 

Salt  water  was  struck  at  a  depth  of  1,500  feet,  so  that  the  well  was 
later  filled  up  to  a  depth  of  1,449  feet.  The  other  wells  were  therefore 
drilled  to  a  depth  of  only  1,200  feet. 

It  is  thought  that  the  wells  are  cased  with  6-inch  pipe  to  a  depth  of 
about  285  feet,  an  arrangement  that  would  shut  out  the  St.  Peter  water. 
The  pumpage  from  the  4  wells  during  the  summer  is  about  740  gallons  per 
minute.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  approximately  a  foot  above  the  sur- 
face, or  at  an  altittude  of  485  feet.  This  is  a  recession  of  21  feet  during 
the  past  20  years.  The  lowering  while  pumping  is  not  known,  but  the  re- 
covery is  effected  in  a  short  time  after  the  pumping  has  ceased.  The 
water  contains  only  a  moderate  amount  of  dissolved  mineral  solids  and 
is  not  sulphurous. 

Other  wells  in  the  city  which  range  up  to  500  feet  in  depth  are 
at  the  Chicago  Fire  Brick  and  Retort  Company,  Ottawa  Brewery, 
Ottawa  Ice  and  Fuel  Company,  Federal  Plate  Glass  Company,  Twin 
Bluffs  Company,  and  the  U.  S.  Silica  Company.  The  analyses  of  the 
waters  from  some  of  these  wells  are  given. 

Although  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  lies  only  a  few  feet  below  the 
surface  in  this  vicinity,  the  usual  practice  is  to  case  off  this  formation 
and  obtain  the  supply  from  the  New  Richmond  sandstone  which  is  re- 
ported to  be  not  so  mineralized  and  sulphurous  as  that  from  the  St. 
Peter  sandstone. 

A  1,8  10-foot  flowing  well  in  the  northern  part  of  the  city  is  owned 
by  Mr.  J.  P.  Catlin.  This  well  was  drilled  about  1890,  and  at  that 
time  the  static  head  was  estimated  to  be  195  feet  above  the  surface,  or  at 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY  201 

an  altitude  of  705  feet.  The  flow  at  the  present  time  is  about  3  gallons 
per  minute  at  an  elevation  of  7  feet  above  the  well  curb  and  50  feet  dis- 
tant. The  content  of  sodium  chloride,  or  common  salt,  is  so  high  that 
it  can  be  tasted.     The  analysis  is  given. 

An  analysis  is  also  given  of  the  Sanicula  Mineral  Spring  water, 
which  is  particularly  high  in  chlorides.  This  water  is  bottled  and  sold  in 
the  vicinity.  The  spring  is  located  at  the  foot  of  the  bluff  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Illinois.  The  water  issues  from  the  gravel  immediately 
overlying  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  The  flow  is  about  5  gallons  per  min- 
ute. 


The  city  is  situated  west  of  the  crest  of  the  La  Salle  anticline,  so 
that  the  strata  that  occur  here  at  depths  of  over  1,500  feet  outcrop  a  few 
miles  to  the  east.  The  geological  succession  is  indicated  by  the  well 
record  from  the  Illinois  Zinc  Company. 

The  public  supply  is  furnished  by  4  flowing  wells  that  obtain  their 
major  supply  from  the  Galena-Platteville  formation,  at  depths  range 
from  1,225  to  1,505  feet.  The  static  head  is  only  a  few  feet  greater  than 
the  curb  elevation  of  475  feet  so  that  two  of  the  wells  are  equipped  with 
air-lift  pumping  systems.  Pumping  is  resorted  to  only  when  the  con- 
sumption exceeds  the  natural  flow.  The  average  daily  consumption  is 
300,000  gallons.  The  analysis  of  the  water  from  the  1,505-foot  well 
drilled  about  1913,  is  given.  The  amount  of  casing  is  not  known,  but 
it  probably  extends  for  some  distance  into  the  bed  rock,  or  Niagaran 
limestone  because  the  water  from  this  formation  is  salty  and  must  be 
shut  out.  In  one  of  the  older  wells  in  which  the  casing  has  developed 
leaks,  the  resulting  water  is  somewhat  brackish. 

The  Illinois  Zinc  Company  has  3  artesian  wells,  one  of  which  has 
just  been  completed.  The  depth  is  1,828  feet,  and  the  New  Richmond 
sandstone  has  a  thickness  of  140  feet.  The  static  head  of  the  water  from 
the  St.  Peter  was  14  feet  above  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  477  feet. 
After  penetrating  the  New  Richmond,  the  pressure  increased  to  30  feet. 
There  are  also  artesian  wells  at  the  two  breweries. 

The  recession  of  the  artesian  water  table  at  Peru  has  been  consider- 
able, although  the  actual  amount  is  not  known.  The  hydrostatic  pres- 
sure in  18991  was  estimated  to  be  sufficient  to  raise  the  water  85  feet 
above  the  curb  of  the  city  wells.  This  is  probably  75  feet  greater  than 
that  at  the  present  time. 


1  Leverett,    F.,    The    Illinois    Glacial    Lobe:    U.    S.    Geol.    Survey    Monograph    3! 
p.   637,    1899. 


202  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Log  of  well  owned  by  Illinois  Zinc  Co.,  Peru,  in  the  SW.  1/h  SW.  1/4  sec.  16,  T. 

33  N.,  R.  1  E. 

Elevation — 463 ±  feet 

Generalized  section3- 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene    and    Recent 

Alluvium,    silt    and    sand,    with    pebbles 72  72 

Pennsylvanian  system 

McLeansboro   and   Carbondale   formations 

Shale,  gray  to  drab,  with  some  limestone  near  base....         86  158 

Shale,  black,  fissile   12  170 

Shale,  gray  to  drab,  sandy  in  places. ._. 78  248 

Shale,  black  fissile 12  260 

Limestone,  gray,  argillaceous 3  263 

Shale,  gray,  with  some  coal 70  333 

Coal    (No.   2),   with    some    shale 8  341 

Pottsville  formation 

Fire   clay    6  347 

Shale,  black  to   grayish   black 17  364 

Sandstone,    gray,    medium-sized    grains 6  370 

Shale,  greenish  gray  to  gray  with  coal  at  base 50  420 

Pre-Pennsylvanian  (Silurian  ?  Devonian  ?  Mississippian  ?) 

Shale,  gray,  calcareous,  with  some  brown  shale 151  571 

Silurian  system 

Niagaran  limestone 

Limestone,    dolomitic,    or    dolomite,    white 241  812 

Ordovician  system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,  gray  to  drab,  dolomitic 164  976 

Galena-Platteville    limestone 

Dolomite,    straw   color   to   tan,    finely    crystalline 387  1363 

St.  Peter  sandstone 

Sandstone,    white,    grains    rounded,    fine    to    coarse 125  1488 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 
Shakopee  formation 

Dolomite,  sand,  and  green  shale 12  1500 

Sandstone,  white,  calcareous 11  1511 

Dolomite,  white  to  brown,  sandy  and  shaly  in  places.  ..       163  1674 

New  Richmond  sandstone 

Sand,  colorless,  quartz,  coarse,  rounded 134  1808 

Dolomite,  white,  with  a  little  sand 3  1811 

Sand,  with  a  little  dolomite 3  1814 

Oneota  formation 

Chert,  white,  with  gray  dolomite 5  1879 

Dolomite,  white    9  1828 


a  The  detailed   log-  of  this  well  compiled  from  study  of  samples  is  to  be  found 
in    the    Survey   files    if   desired   for   reference. 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY  203 

RANSOM 

The  village  water  supply  is  furnished  by  a  415-foot  drilled  well. 
There  is  no  complete  record  of  the  strata  penetrated,  as  the  well  has  been 
deepened  from  274.  feet,  and  no  log  was  kept  of  this  upper  part.  The 
log  of  the  lower  portion  indicates  a  37-foot  sandstone  near  the  bottom, 
probably  in  the  Pennsylvanian  system,  which  is  the  water-bearing  bed. 
The  analysis  given  is  of  the  water  when  the  well  was  only  274  feet  in 
depth.     There  is  no  other  analysis. 

SENECA 

The  village  has  no  water  works,  but  there  are  a  number  of  private 
flowing  wells  ranging  in  depth  from  300  to  680  feet.  The  water-bearing 
formations  are  the  St.  Peter  and  underlying  strata.  The  static  head  is 
only  a  few  feet  above  the  surface  or  at  an  altitude  of  about  510  feet. 

The  well  at  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  Pacific  Railroad  station 
is  410  feet  deep  and  the  water  is  used  in  the  locomotives.  This  is  a 
flowing  well,  but  the  water  must  be  pumped  into  the  elevated  tank. 

SHERIDAN 

The  village  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  415-foot  drilled  well. 
The  New  Richmond  sandstone  is  reported  to  have  been  struck  at  a  depth 
of  240  feet  and  to  have  been  75  feet  thick. 

There  is  also  a  748-foot  well  at  Glen  Park  across  Fox  River  from 
Sheridan.  No  accurate  record  of  the  strata  penetrated  was  kept,  but 
the  chief  water-bearing  beds  are  probably  the  New  Richmond  sandstone 
and  underlying  strata. 

STREATOR 

The  city  supply  is  obtained  from  Vermilion  River,  but  some  of  the 
factories  have  deep  wells. 

A  number  of  years  ago  the  city  drilled  a  2,496-foot  well  the  record 
of  which  is  given  on  the  accompanying  pages.  The  water  is  too  salty 
to  be  used.  The  original  head  of  the  St.  Peter  water  was  40  feet  below 
the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  578  feet.  As  the  drilling  continued,  the 
head  increased  so  that  at  2,170  to  2,496  feet,  the  water  had  a  head  of 
45  feet  above  the  surface.  Although  the  well  still  flows,  there  has  been 
a  great  reduction  in  the  hydrostatic  pressure. 

The  following  companies  have  St.  Peter  wells  in  use  at  the  present 
time:  American  Bottle  Company,  Streator  Brick  Company,  Western 
Glass  Company,  and  the  Atchison,  Topeka,  and  Santa  Fe  Railway  Com- 
pany. These  wells  are  usually  completed  after  the  base  of  the  St. 
Peter  sandstone  has  been  reached ;  the  depths  range  from  560  to  700  feet. 


204 


AETESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


The  casing  extends  down  through  the  Pennsylvania!!  system,  or  to  the 
Galena- Platteville  limestone,  which  is  about  200  to  225  feet. 

None  of  the  wells  flow,  but  the  water  level  is  about  100  feet  below 
the  surface.  In  the  winter  of  1915,  the  level  in  the  700-foot  well  at  the 
American  Glass  Company  was  98  feet  below  the  surface,  or  at  an  alti- 
tude of  527  feet.  The  wells  are  not  large,  but  yields  of  from  30  to  100 
gallons  per  minute  are  obtained. 

The  character  of  the  water  is  indicated  by  a  number  of  analyses. 
The  alkali  salts  dominate,  although  calcium  and  magnesium  carbonates 
are  also  present.  The  water  is  strongly  sulphurous,  and  the  high  content 
of  sodium  salts  renders  it  rather  unpalatable.  An  objection  to  its  use 
in  boilers  is  that  it  causes  considerable  foaming ;  it  is,  however,  used  for 
this  purpose  at  the  Western  Glass  Company  without  treatment  and  is  con- 
sidered satisfactory.  The  temperature  of  the  water  at  the  American 
Glass  Company  was  59.5°  F.  and  at  the  Western  Glass  Company,  59.7°  F. 


Log  of  an  artesian    well   boring  at   Streator 
Elevation — 623  feet 


Illinois 


Thickness 

Description   of  strata  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene  and  Recent   series 

Drift    30 

Pennsylvanian  system 

Shales,  limestone,  sandstone,  and  coal 211 

Ordovician  system 

Galena-Platteville  formation 

Limestone    203 

St.    Peter    sandstone 225 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Limestone,  white   90 

Sandstone,    white    133 

Limestone,  white    211 

Sandstone,  white    37 

Limestone,    dark   gray 50 

Sandstone,  fine,  reddish  (contained  magnetic  iron  grains)  15 

Limestone,    dark   gray 13 

Sandstone,  white  and  brown,  mixed 1 

Limestone,  gray   IS 

Cambrian  system 

Sandstone,  white  with  some  brown 168 

Shale,    blue    100 

Limestone,  dark    73 

Sandstone,  dirty  brown 21 

Sandstone,  limy  and  shaly 2 

Sandstone,  buff   35 

Sandstone,  white  to  buff 77 

S  ■  ndstone,  white    25 


Depth 
Feet 


30 


241 


444 
669 

759 
892 
1103 
1140 
1190 
1205 
1218 
1219 
1237 

1405 
1505 
1578 
1599 
1601 
1636 
1713 
1738 


LA  SALLE  COUNTY  205 

Log  of  well  at  Streator — Concluded 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Sandstone,   red    (grains   of  magnetic   iron) 10  1748 

Sandstone,  dirty  brown   (10%  mag.  iron) 17  1765 

Lime,    soft 60  1825 

Shale,    blue    ... 13  1838 

Shale,  brown,  sandy,  hard 30  1868 

Shale,    blue,    soft 20  1888 

Shale,   pink 95  1983 

Sandstone,    dark   red 80  2063 

Shale,  blue   50  2113 

Limestone,   bluish    50  2163 

Sandstone,  dark  drab 15  2179 

Sandstone,    reddish   buff    35  2213 

Sandstone,  white    283  2496 

UTICA 

There  are  at  least  11  flowing  wells  in  the  village  which  derive  the 
greater  amount  of  their  supply  from  the  New  Richmond  sandstone  of  the 
Prairie  du  Chien  group  at  depths  ranging  from  175  to  about  350  feet. 
The  ground  elevation  varies  between  475  and  500  feet,  but  the  static  head 
is  about  520  feet. 

The  village  water  supply  is  furnished  by  5  wells  which  range  in  depth 
from  225  to  350  feet.  Each  of  the  wells  has  about  140  feet  of  4-inch  pipe 
which  is  directly  connected  to  the  distributing  system.  When  the  first 
well  was  drilled  in  1883,  the  water  had  a  head  of  40  feet  above  the  surface 
but  at  present  it  is  but  half  as  high  or  even  less. 

The  analyses  of  3  of  the  waters  show  that  they  are  practically  iden- 
tical. The  chief  salts  are  the  carbonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium; 
some  soft  scale  would  form  if  the  water  were  used  untreated  in  boilers. 

WEDRON 

The  St.  Peter  sandstone  outcrops  in  many  places  along  Fox  River 
and  sulphur  springs  from  this  formation  are  numerous.  One  of  the 
largest  of  these  springs  is  located  about  a  mile  south  of  Wedron  on  the 
east  bank  of  Fox  River.  The  Sulphur  Lick  Springs  Hotel  and  a  num- 
ber of  cottages  are  situated  here.  The  spring  has  a  flow  of  1,050  gallons 
per  minute  and  has  excavated  a  large  pit  in  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  The 
flow  is  utilized  to  turn  a  water  wheel  that  operates  a  pump  which  raises 
the  water  to  an  elevated  storage  tank.  Sufficient  pressure  is  thus  fur- 
nished so  that  the  water  can  be  used  in  all  parts  of  the  hotel. 

The  water  contains  hydrogen  sulphide,  but  the  amount  present  is 
not  sufficient  to  give  it  a  disagreeable  taste.  The  chief  salts  are  the 
carbonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium,  present  in  moderate  amounts. 


206  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

McHENRY  COUNTY 

Physiography 

McHenry  County  has  an  area  of  624  square  miles  and  is  situated 
along  the  northern  border  of  the  State ;  it  is  bounded  on  the  east  by 
Lake  County  and  on  the  west  by  Boone  County. 

A  large  part  of  the  area  is  at  an  elevation  of  900  feet,  and  several 
points  along  the  northern  boundary  have  altitudes  of  over  1,000  feet 
making  the  county  one  of  the  highest  in  the  State.  Essentially  all  the 
county  except  for  a  narrow  strip  less  than  a  township  in  width  on  the 
west  border,  is  covered  by  a  system  of  moraines  formed  during  the 
Wisconsin  stage  of  glaciation.1 

The  topography  has  therefore  pronounced  morainic  aspects ;  the 
land  is  rolling  and  contains  numerous  irregular  hills  and  depressions. 
Some  of  the  upland  areas  are  wooded. 

Kishwaukee  River  and  its  tributaries  which  flow  westward  to  Rock 
River  drain  the  western  half  of  the  county.  The  eastern  part  is  inade- 
quately drained  by  Fox  River  and  its  tributaries  through  a  system  of 
sloughs  and  small  lakes.  The  porous  character  of  the  thick  drift  cover- 
ing permits  the  absorption  and  retention  of  much  of  the  rainfall. 

Geology 

The  entire  county,  except  for  a  few  isolated  spots  in  the  western 
portion  where  the  rock  outcrops,  is  covered  by  a  heavy  drift  deposit. 
This  mantle  of  clay,  sand,  and  gravel  probably  averages  200  feet  in 
thickness,  or  nearly  twice  the  average  thickness   for  the   State. 

The  depths  of  farm  wells  which  have  not  struck  rock  are  taken  from 
Leverett's  report  on  the  Illinois  Glacial  Lobe.1 

Deep  drift  borings  in  southeastern  McHenry  County 

Depth 
Feet 

Moses  Dimon,  2  miles  south  of  Marengo 125 

R.   Cooney,  sec.   14,  T.   45   N.,   R.   6   E 94 

Harmony    post    office 112 

Ira  Curtiss,  near  center  of  T.  43  N.,  R.  6  E 180 

Well   80   rods   east   of   preceding 86 

W.  Whittemore,  T.   43  N.,  R.   7  E 100 

Mr.  Cummings,  near  Huntley 108 

George  Bunker,  T.  44  N.,  R.  7  E 84 


Leverett,  F.,  The  Illinois  glacial  lobe:  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey  Monograph  38,  1899. 


MC  HENRY   COUNTY  207 

The  following  list  of  depths  to  bed  rock  in  different  parts  of  the 
county  has  ben  collected  by  the  writer: 

Thickness  of  drift  in  McHe?iry  County 

Depth 
Feet 

Algonquin,   Illinois  Condensing  Co 103+ 

Harvard,  Chicago  and  North  Western  Ry.  Co 97 

Ringwood,    Pullman    Dairy    Co 215 

Woodstock,   city  well 212 

This  heavy  mantle  of  drift  contains  irregular  beds  of  sand  and  gravel 
that  form  reservoirs  for  the  rainfall  that  has  percolated  down  from  the 
surface.  The  drainage  lines  are  so  poorly  developed  in  many  localities 
that  an  excessive  run-off  is  prevented.  In  some  places  the  sand  and 
gravel  strata  are  confined  within  impervious  clay  beds ;  then  if  the  per- 
vious beds  are  dipping  to  any  extent,  artesian  conditions  will  be  cre- 
ated. This  will  in  some  places  give  flowing  wells  from  the  drift  or 
else  produce  wells  of  large  yield ;  springs  may  be  another  result  of  these 
conditions. 

Very  little  rock  outcrops  in  the  county  because  of  the  heavy  drift 
deposit.  In  the  western  part  near  Kishwaukee  River  rock  is  found  at  the 
surface  in  a  few  places.  The  outcrop  surfaces,  according  to  Leverett, 
appear  to  stand  above  the  general  rock  surface  and  probably  represent 
the  tops  of  pre-glacial  ridges  or  hills. 

The  Niagaran  limestone  is  the  bed  rock  in  the  greater  part  of  the 
county.  The  strata  have  an  eastward  and  southward  dip,  so  that  in  the 
western  tier  of  townships  the  drift  is  underlain  by  the  Maquoketa  shale. 
It  is  also  possible  that  in  the  extreme  western  and  northwestern  parts 
of  the  county,erosion,  during  glacial  and  pre-glacial  times,  has  removed 
the  Maquoketa  shale,  so  that  the  underlying  Galena-Platteville  limestone 
is  the  bed  rock. 

The  other  formations  that  have  been  penetrated  by  drilling  are  the 
St.  Peter  sandstone,  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone,  and  the  ''Potsdam" 
group. 

Few  deep  wells  have  been  drilled  in  the  county,  and  consequently 
only  a  few  logs  have  been  obtained.  No  sets  of  drillings  have  been  studied, 
so  that  nothing  can  be  said  regarding  the  strata  more  than  is  indicated 
by  the  driller's  logs.  The  St.  Peter  sandstone  is  present  from  650  to  750 
feet  below  the  surface  with  a  thickness  of  about  200  feet.  Variations 
in  the  thickness  of  this  formation  may  be  expected  and  also  in  the  depths 
at  which  it  is  found.  As  a  rule  the  formations  should  lie  at  a  greater 
depth  in  the  eastern  and  southeastern  parts  of  the  county  because  of  their 
dip  in  this  direction.     However,  the  surface  elevations  are  greater  in 


208  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

the  northern  area,  a  difference  that  may  in  many  places  offset  to  a  con- 
siderable  degree  the  effect  of  the  dip. 

The  Prairie  du  Chien  formation  seems  to  be  much  thinner  here 
than  in  the  counties  to  the  south  and  southeast,  and  it  has  also  assumed 
a  more  sandy  phase.  The  drillers  do  not  seem  to  have  been  able  to  draw 
a  definite  dividing  line  between  this  formation  and  the  underlying  "Pots- 
dam" sandstones. 

Underground  Waters 

sources 

The  heavy  drift  deposit  forms  such  an  excellent  collecting  reservoir 
for  the  rainfall  that  large  yields  are  obtained  from  many  shallow  wells. 
In  prospecting  for  water  supplies,  these  shallow  depths  should  be  tested 
before  drilling  deeper.  The  Niagaran  limestone  below  the  drift  in  the 
greater  part  of  the  county  also  contains  water.  The  St.  Peter  sandstone 
can  likewise  be  expected  to  deliver  considerable  amounts.  Then  finally 
the  "Potsdam"  group  at  depths  of  1,100  feet  and  greater  have  always  fur- 
nished large  amounts  of  water.  The  county  is  therefore  fortunate  in 
having  a  number  of  possibilities   for  developing  water  supplies. 

STATIC    HEAD 

Flowing  wells  are  obtained  from  the  drift  at  McITenry  and  Algon- 
quin ;  there  are  also  good  springs  at  the  latter  place  and  at  Cary.  No 
flowing  wells  are  reported  from  the  St.  Peter  and  underlying  formations, 
but  the  water  level  is  in  most  places  within  20  to  100  feet  from  the  sur- 
face, so  that  pumping  is  not  difficult. 

CHEMICAL    CHARACTER 

The  only  analyses  of  deep  well  waters  are  from  Woodstock  and  these 
show  a  moderate  amount  of  mineral  salts.  There  is  generally  consider- 
able variation  in  the  hardness  of  waters  from  the  drift  wells  in  different 
localities.  The  analyses  indicate  that  the  drift  waters  contain  more 
scale-forming  solids  than  the  water  of  wells,  about  1,000  feet  in  depth 
but  the  differences  are  not  great. 

LOCAL   SUPPLIES 
ALGONQUIN 

The  village  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  number  of  springs  situ- 
ated on  a  hillside.  Open  joint  tile  are  laid  at  a  depth  of  4  or  5  feet 
in  one  or  more  rows  of  approximately  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  length.  It 
is  possible  to  collect  about  700,000  gallons  per  day.     The  water  contains 


MC  HENRY  COUNTY  209 

a  rather  moderate  amount  of  mineral  matter  but  would  form  some  scale 
if  used  untreated  in  boilers. 

A  2,527-foot  well  was  drilled  in  1893  for  the  Illinois  Condensing 
Company.  From  the  very  incomplete  record  of  the  strata  the  bottom 
of  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  appears  to  be  at  860  feet.  Sandstone  strata 
are  again  mentioned  at  1,185  and  1,710,  and  red  sandstone  at  2,080  feet 
which  probably  continued  to  the  bottom  of  the  well.  The  water  corroded 
the  pipes  extensively  so  that  its  use  was  discontinued  over  twenty  years 
ago. 

Flowing  drift  wells  have  been  obtained  in  the  vicinity  at  points 
of  low  elevation. 

CRYSTAL    LAKE 

The  village  has  a  dug  well  35  feet  deep  and  8  feet  in  diameter ; 
the  lining  is  2  rows  of  4-inch  cement  blocks.  The  driller's  record  is  as 
follows : 

Driller's  log  of  well  at  Crystal  Lake 

Thickness     Depth 
Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Soil  and  clay 2  2 

Gravel,    coarse    4  6 

G-ravel,  fine,  and  sand 29  35 

The  static  water  level  is  16  feet  below  the  surface  and  lowers  only 
3  feet  after  pumping  all  day  at  the  rate  of  over  200  gallons  per  minute. 
The  average  daily  consumption  is  20,000  gallons. 

The  water  contains  considerable  calcium  and  magnesium  carbonates, 
and  some  magnesium  sulphate ;  no  hydrogen  sulphide  was  noted  in  con- 
trast to  the  rock  well  water  at  North  Crystal  Lake. 

HARVARD 

The  city  has  two  wells,  742  feet  and  about  1600  feet  in  depth,  but 
no  drilling  records  seem  to  have  been  kept.  However,  the  rock  succes- 
sion can  be  determined  from  the  driller's  log  of  a  well  drilled  in  1910 
for  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company. 

Driller's  log  of  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  well,  Harvard 

Elevation — 935 ±  feet                      Thickness  Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Soil,  clay,  sand  and  gravel 97  97 

Limestone,   "chalky"    83  180 

Shale,   green    75  255 

Shale,  brown 71  326 

Limestone    322  648 

Sandstone   (St.  Peter)    187  835 

Sandstone,  red   55  890 

Limestone    10  900 

Shale,  green   19  919 


210  AETESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

The  water  level  in  this  railroad  well  at  completion  was  60  feet  be- 
low  the  surface;  on  a  pumping  test  it  delivered  310  gallons  per  minute. 
The  well  is  12  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface  and  probably  8  inches  at 
the  bottom. 

The  municipal  water  plant  is  located  on  low  land  in  the  southwest 
part  of  the  city  and  about  200  feet  from  a  creek.  The  old  1,600-foot 
well,  which  has  a  diameter  of  10  inches  at  the  top  and  6  inches  at  the 
bottom,  is  seldom  used;  the  capacity  is  given  as  about  200  gallons  per 
minute  with  the  working  barrel  of  the  pump  at  115  feet.  The  742-foot 
well  is  8  inches  in  diameter  at  the  surface  and  6  inches  at  the  bottom ; 
the  working  barrel  is  at  a  depth  of  95  feet.  The  normal  water  level  is 
20  feet  below  the  surface  but  when  pumping  at  a  rate  of  150  gallons  per 
minute  the  level  recedes  to  below  the  pump  barrel.  The  average  daily 
consumption  is  200,000  gallons.  The  water  is  moderately  mineralized 
and  contains  some  scale-forming  solids. 

MCHENRY 

The  village  water  plant  is  located  in  the  valley  of  an  intermittent 
stream  tribuary  to  the  Fox  River  lowlands ;  the  river  is  approximately 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  away.  Two  flowing  wells  have  been  obtained  from 
depths  of  68  and  72  feet.  The  wells  are  6  and  8  inches  in  diameter  and 
the  water  is  from  a  sand  and  gravel  stratum. 

The  Borden  Dairy  Company  has  two  wells  about  170  feet  in  depth, 
but  it  is  not  known  whether  bed  rock  was  penetrated. 

MARENGO 

The  source  of  the  municipal  water  supply  is  a  dug  well  14  feet 
deep  and  20  feet  in  diameter.  The  entire  depth,  except  for  an  upper 
3-foot  layer  of  black  soil,  is  through  a  stratum  of  sand  and  gravel.  The 
maximum  yield  during  dry  weather  is  about  100,000  gallons  per  day. 
The  appended  analysis  indicates  a  moderately  mineralized  water  which 
would  form  some  scale  if  used  for  boiler  purposes. 

The  dug  wells  in  the  village  vary  greatly  in  depth.  Those  in  the 
gravel  plain  along  Kishwaukee  River  are  only  20  to  25  feet,  whereas 
those  on  the  slope  of  the  moraine  in  the  south  part  of  the  village  are 
60  to  80  and  occasionally  125  feet  in  depth.  Bed  rock  has  not  been  re- 
ported. 

NORTH     CRYSTAL     LAKE 

The  water  supply  for  the  village  is  obtained  from  a  285-foot  well 
that  is  said  to  have  penetrated  the  bed  rock  to  a  depth  of  25  feet.  The 
diameter  is  given  as  8  inches  at  the  surface  and  (5  inches  at  the  bottom. 


MC  HENRY  COUNTY  211 

The  water  level  is  approximately  60  feet  below  the  surface ;  at  least 
225  gallons  per  minute  can  be  pumped  for  a  number  of  hours.  The 
amount  of  recession  in  the  water  level  at  the  above  pumping  rate  is  not 
known.    The  average  daily  consumption  is  55,000  gallons. 

The  water  contains  only  a  moderate  amount  of  mineral  matter  in 
comparison  with  other  wells  of  this  depth.  No  excessive  scale  would 
be  formed  if  it  were  used  for  boiler  purposes.  Enough  hydrogen  sul- 
phide is  present  to  be  distinctly  noticeable  when  the  water  is  delivered 
by  the  pump.  The  shallow  wells  in  the  vicinity  are  about  60  or  75  feet 
deep  and  draw  water  from  sand  and  gravel  beds  in  the  drift. 

RINGWOOD 

A  well  1,641  feet  in  depth  was  recently  drilled  for  the  Pullman 
Dairy  Company,  but  no  record  of  the  strata  was  kept.  The  depth  to 
bed  rock  was  given  as  215  feet. 

The  water  level  is  reported  to  be  about  80  feet  below  the  surface. 
No  analysis  of  the  water  has  been  made. 

WOODSTOCK 

Three  deep  wells  ranging  in  depth  from  about  1,000  to  2,079  feet 

have  been  drilled  for  the  city.  The  succession  of  strata  as  indicated  by 
the  driller's  log  is  given. 

Driller's  log   of  Woodstock  city  well  No.   2 

Elevation — 915  feet 

Authority:    J.   P.   Miller  Artesian  Well   Co.,   Chicago 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Soil,   clay,   sand,  and   gravel 209  209 

Limestone 66  275 

Shale    34  309 

Limestone,    "caves" 81  390 

Shale    30  420 

Limestone    ,.  . . 335  755 

Sandy   limestone    41  796 

Sandstone,  hard    (St.  Peter) 139  935 

Marl,   red    62  997 

Sandy  limestone    207  1204 

Marl  and  sandstone 48  1252 

Limestone  and  shale 70  1322 

Sandstone     74  1396 

Limestone 181  1577 

Limestone   and   sandstone 9  1586 

Limestone    17  1603 

Sandstone,  red 207  1810 

Sandstone,    hard    203  2013 

Sandy    shale    9  2022 

Sandstone,  hard 17  2039 

Limestone     33  2072 

Sandstone    7  2079 


212  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

The  city  also  drilled  two  shallow  wells  in  1913  so  that  the  deep  wells 
are  not  used  now  so  extensively  as  formerly.  In  September,  1914,  the 
water  level  in  the  1,000 ± -foot  well  at  rest  was  50  feet  below  the  sur- 
face when  the  other  two  wells  were  idle;  the  effects  of  pumping  were  not 
known.  There  has  been  some  recession  of  the  water  level,  but  records 
have  not  been  kept. 

The  deep  wells  are  reported  to  yield  from  75  to  160  gallons  per 
minute  each ;  the  sizes  are  not  exactly  known,  but  they  are  probably 
not  over  5  inches  in  diameter  at  the  bottom. 

The  two  shallow  wells  belonging  to  the  city  are  situated  in  a 
separate  pumping  station  over  a  mile  distant  from  the  old  plant.  The 
land  around  this  No.  2  station  is  low  lying  and  nearly  flat.  The  wells 
are  85  feet  deep  and  are  each  cased  with  10-inch  pipe  to  the  top  of  an  18- 
foot  Cook  deep- well  strainer.  Although  the  wells  are  only  about  15  feet 
apart  they  are  able  nevertheless  to  deliver  200  gallons  each  per  minute 
when  operating  together.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  23  feet  below  the 
surface ;  the  operating  level  is  not  known. 

The  Oliver  Typewriter  Company  has  two  deep  wells,  one  of  which 
is  1,211  feet  deep,  but  the  depth  of  the  other  is  not  known,  although 
it  is  probably  about  the  same.  The  1,211-foot  well  is  completely  cased 
from  the  surface  to  980  feet,  or  to  the  bottom  of  the  red  shale  that 
underlies  the  St.  Peter  sandstone ;  the  diameter  is  8  inches  at  the  sur- 
face, and  approximately  5  inches  at  the  bottom.  The  water  level  is 
about  60  feet  at  rest  and  about  90  feet  when  pumping  at  the  rate  of  120 
gallons  per  minute. 

The  analyses  of  the  water  from  the  l,000±-foot  well  at  the  munici- 
pal water  plant  and  from  the  1,211-foot  well  at  the  Oliver  Typewriter 
Company  are  very  similar.  Although  the  water  contains  a  notable 
amount  of  mineral  matter,  it  is  not  too  hard  to  be  used  for  boiler  purposes. 
The  shallow-well  water  is  also  very  similar;  carbonates  of  calcium  and 
magnesium  being  the  predominant  salts. 

WILL  COUNTY 
Physiography 

Will  County  adjoins  Dupage  and  Cook  counties  on  the  south ;  the 
eastern  boundary  is  the  Indiana  state  line.  The  total  area  is  844  square 
miles. 

The  Valparaiso  morainic  system  crosses  the  northeastern  and  east- 
tern  portions  and  the  elevations  along  its  crest  are  the  highest  in  the 
county.  Altitudes  somewhat  greater  than  800  feet  are  found  around 
Monee,  although  the  average  elevations  along  the  ridge  are  from  750 


WILL  COUNTY  213 

to  800  feet.  The  lowest  points  in  the  county  are  in  the  southwest  part 
along  Fox  River  where  elevations  of  490  feet  occur. 

That  portion  of  the  county  north  and  east  of  a  line  connecting  Joliet 
and  Peotone  is  occupied  by  the  moraines  of  the  Valparaiso  system.  The 
surface  of  this  elevated  area  is  somewhat  rougher  than  that  of  the  lower 
land  to  the  southwest.  The  topography  is  undulating  with  knolls  here 
and  there  that  rise  to  a  height  of  15  to  40  feet  above  the  general  surface. 
Shallow  basins,  many  of  which  are  not  well  drained,  are  associated 
with  the  small  hills. 

The  remainder  of  the  county  outside  of  the  morainic  area  is  almost 
flat  except  where  the  streams  have  eroded.  This  is  particularly  notice- 
able in  the  southwestern  townships  in  the  vicinity  of  Braidwood.  The 
Desplaines  River  Valley,  which  crosses  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
county,  is  a  prominent  topographic  feature.  The  bottom  of  this  valley, 
which  at  one  time  was  the  outlet  of  the  waters  from  Lake  Chicago, 
is  at  an  elevation  of  75  to  100  feet  below  that  of  the  bordering  uplands. 

The  major  drainage  line  is  the  Desplaines  River  which  flows  across 
the  northwest  portion  of  the  county  in  a  southwest  direction,  and  drains 
the  area  north  of  about  the  latitude  of  Joliet.  Dupage  River,  a  tributary 
of  the  Desplaines,  drains  the  tier  of  townships  along  the  northwestern 
border.  The  southern  and  southwestern  area  is  drained  by  small  streams 
which  flow  southwestward  from  the  moraines  of  the  Valparaiso  system. 
These  streams  are  tributaries  of  Kankakee  River,  which  flows  north- 
westward across  the  southwestern  townships.  The  Desplaines  and  Kan- 
kakee join  just  beyond  the  county  border  to  form  the  west-flowing  Illi- 
nois River. 

Geology 

The  previously  mentioned  area  occupied  by  the  Valparaiso  morainic 
system  has  a  drift  covering  that  ranges  up  to  180  feet  thick.  Leverett1 
considered  that  the  average  thickness  along  the  morainic  area  was  about 
100  feet.  The  average  depth  of  42  wells  situated  mainly  along  the 
Valparaiso  moraine  was  76  feet  and  they  did  not  penetrate  rock.  The 
average  depth  to  rock  in  55  wells  on  the  plain  area  southwest  of  the 
moraine  was  43  feet.  In  the  morainic  area  and  along  its  border  the 
drift  contains  irregular  beds  of  sand  and  gravel  which  renders  it  possible 
to  secure  good  wells  at  shallow  depths.  The  surface  waters  also  find 
their  way  down  to  the  underlying,  fissured  limestone. 

Beds  of  sand  and  gravel  also  occur  along  the  valleys  and  afford 
favorable  conditions  for  the  retention  of  surface  waters. 

The   Niagaran   limestone   is  the  bed-rock   formation  that   underlies 


1  Leverett,    F.,    The    Illinois    glacial    lobe:    U.    S.    Geol.    Survey    Monograph 
p.   649,   1899. 


214  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

practically  the  entire  county,  outcropping  at  numerous  places  along  the 
Desplaines.  The  strata  rise  towards  the  west,  so  that  the  older  Maquo- 
keta  shale  outcrops  along  the  western  border  south  of  about  the  latitude 
of  Joliet.  The  Channahon  limestone,  outcropping  near  the  village  of  that 
name,  has  been  described  by  Professor  Savage1  and  referred  to  the 
Alexandrian  series.  This  formation  is  younger  than  the  Maquoketa 
and  older  than  the  Niagaran  limestone.  It  is  very  probable  that  the 
Channahon  limestone  is  present  over  greater  areas,  but  is  concealed  by 
younger  deposits. 

In  the  southwestern  townships  there  is  a  narrow  strip  of  Pennsyl- 
vanian  strata  which  probably  nowhere  in  the  county  attains  a  width  of 
over  five  miles.  This  area  of  coal-bearing  strata  extends  southward  from 
about  where  Desplaines  River  enters  Grundy  County. 

Very  few  deep  drillings  have  been  made  in  the  county  so  that 
the  depths  to  the  different  strata  are  not  known  for  all  localities.  The 
records  from  Lockport  and  Joliet  indicate  a  geological  succession  similar 
to  that  at  Chicago.  However,  the  combined  thickness  of  the  St.  Peter 
and  Prairie  du  Chien  formations  at  Joliet  is  greater  than  at  Chicago. 
The  combined  thickness  at  Joliet  is  approximately  700  feet,  whereas  at 
Chicago  it  is  only  550  feet. 

From  Joliet  toward  the  southern  city  limits  of  Chicago  the  St.  Peter 
sandstone  has  a  dip  of  about  10  feet  per  mile,  whereas  the  first  "Potsdam' ' 
sandstone  dips  only  5  feet  to  the  mile ;  this  is  because  of  the  increased 
thickness  of  the  lower  strata  at  Joliet.  In  the  direction  of  Kankakee 
the  St.  Peter  sandstone  has  a  dip  of  approximately  7  feet  per  mile.  The 
depth  to  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  will  vary  in  different  parts  of  the  county 
from  600  to  900  feet.  The  shallowest  depths  will  be  in  the  valleys  of  the 
Kankakee  and  Desplaines  in  the  southwestern  townships.  The  formations 
will  lie  at  a  greater  depth  on  the  uplands  because  of  differences  in  surface 
elevation.  In  the  townships  north  of  the  latitude  of  Joliet  and  west  of 
the  Desplaines  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  will  be  found  at  depths  of  625 
to  750  feet.  Along  the  Valparaiso  moraine  the  depths  will  range  up  to 
900  feet.  The  first  sandstone  of  the  "Potsdam"  group  should  be  encount- 
ered from  600  to  700  feet  below  the  St.  Peter. 

Underground  Waters 

sources 

The  greater  number  of  municipalities  have  utilized  either  the  drift 
deposits  or  the  underying  bed  rock  in  the  development  of  water  supplies. 
This  should  be  done  wherever  it  is  possible,  as  the  deeper-lying  strata 


1  Savage,   T.    E„    Stratigraphy    and    paleontology   or   the    Alexandrian    series    in 
Illinois  and   Missouri:   III.  State  Geol.  Survey  Bull.  23,  p.  26,  1913. 


WILL  COUNTY  215 

have  already  been  heavily  drained.  The  Valparaiso  moranic  area  and 
also  some  miles  beyond  it,  furnish  strong  supplies  of  water  at  shallow 
depths.  The  St.  Peter  and  "Potsdam"  sandstones  have  been  drawn  upon 
in  some  of  the  cities  in  the  western  part  of  the  county;  those  will  be 
discussed  under  the  different  localities. 

STATIC   HEAD 

Flowing  wells  from  either  the  drift  or  bed  rock  have  been  obtained 
at  some  places  along  Desplaines  River ;  springs  also  occur.  The  head 
of  these  shallow  wells  is  so  variable  that  the  water  level  in  one  may 
differ  considerably  from  that  in  another  situated  at  no  great  distance. 

The  static  head  of  the  waters  from  the  deeper  strata  is  known  only 
at  Joliet,  Lockport,  and  Wilmington.  The  waters  from  the  St.  Peter 
and  "Potsdam"  formations  have  been  heavily  drawn  upon  at  Joliet,  so 
that  there  has  been  a  great  recession  of  the  water  table.  The  "Potsdam" 
wells  at  the  Joliet  water  works  in  1899  had  a  head  of  about  40  feet  above 
the  surface  or  at  an  elevation  of  575  feet.  The  St.  Peter  wells  also 
flowed  at  this  time.  The  "Potsdam"  water  level  in  1915  was  about  85 
feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an  altitude  of  455  feet ;  in  the  large  city  wells 
the  level  recedes  while  pumping  to  150  feet  and  more. 

The  St.  Peter  water  level  at  the  Joliet  School  well  in  1913  was 
148  feet  below  the  surface,  or  at  an  altitude  of  400  feet;  in  1911  the 
level  was  reported  to  be  only  50  feet  below  the  surface.  At  Rockdale 
about  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Joliet  High  School  and  the  center 
of  the  city,  the  St.  Peter  water  level  in  September,  1915,  was  72  feet 
below  the  surface  or  at  an  altitude  of  476  feet.  Two  flowing  wells  at 
Wilmington  each  about  800  feet  deep,  presumably  obtain  water  from  the 
St.  Peter ;  the  curb  elevation  is  approximately  550  feet. 

CHEMICAL  CHARACTER 

The  water  from  wells  that  penetrate  the  drift  and  Niagaran  lime- 
stone is,  as  a  rule,  somewhat  harder  than  that  from  the  St.  Peter  and 
the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone,  although  exceptions  occur  as  water  of 
only  a  moderate  mineral  content  is  furnished  by  some  of  the  shallow 
wells. 

The  analyses  of  the  waters  from  the  St.  Peter  and  "Potsdam': 
formations  are  similar.  The  Desplaines  Street  well  at  Joliet  supplies 
a  good  example  of  the  water  from  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone.  The 
waters  from  the  deep  wells  at  the  Citizens  Brewery  and  at  the  Sehring 
Brewery  are  not  typical  "Potsdam"  waters,  because  the  Niagaran  lime- 
stone waters  are  not  cased  off  in  these  wells  as  in  the  Desplaines  Street 


216  ABTESIAN   WATEES    OF   NOETHEASTEEN   ILLINOIS 

well.  These  uncased  wells  are  also  pumped  at  a  comparatively  low  rate, 
so  that  the  greater  part  of  the  water  obtained  is  from  the  Niagaran 
limestone.  The  St.  Peter  wells  at  Rockdale  water  works  and  at  Joliet 
High  School  are  cased  to  below  the  Niagaran  limestone. 

The  chief  salts  in  the  St.  Peter  and  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone 
waters  are  the  carbonates  of  calcium  and  magnesium  and  sodium 
sulphate.  They  are  only  moderately  hard,  but  would  form  some  scale 
if  used  untreated  in  boilers. 

Wells  2,000  or  more  feet  in  depth  are  very  likely  to  furnish  waters 
of  high  mineral  content.  The  well  at  Lockport  was  first  drilled  to  a 
depth  of  1,922  feet,  but  salt  water  was  struck,  so  that  the  well  later  was 
plugged  at  a  depth  of  about  1,650  feet. 

The  waters  from  the  Pennsylvanian  strata  in  the  southwestern 
townships  are  sulphurous,  the  water  from  a  shallow  well  at  Custer 
Park  has  the  high  hydrogen  sulphide  content  of  49  parts  per  million. 

LOCAL   SUPPLIES 
BEAIDWOOD 

The  drift  at  Braidwood  is  probably  not  over  40  to  50  feet  thick. 
The  underlying  strata  belong  to  the  coal-bearing  Pennsylvanian  series 
and  yield  waters  in  many  places  of  a  sulphurous  taste  because  of  the 
hydrogen  sulphide  content. 

The  chief  source  of  the  city  supply  is  a  dug  well  20  feet  deep.  The 
dimensions  are  6  by  10  feet,  and  the  walls  are  protected  by  2-inch  planks. 
The  water  is  obtained  from  a  sand  and  gravel  stratum  near  the  bottom 
of  the  well ;  the  material  above  this  water-bearing  bed  is  for  the  most 
part  sand.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  8  feet  below  the  surface ;  the  ef- 
fects of  pumping  are  not  known.  The  average  daily  pumpage  is  ap- 
proximately 7,000  gallons.  The  water  is  hard  and  is  not  desirable  for 
boiler  use  without  softening.     The  analysis  is  given. 

The  city  has  also  seven  driven  wells,  12  feet  in  depth  and  cased  with 
3-inch  pipe,  which  have  3-foot  strainers  at  the  bottom.  Formerly  the 
water  supply  is  reported  to  have  been  furnished  by  a  900-foot  well,  but 
the  reason  for  the  abandonment  of  this  source  is  not  known.  The 
record  of  the  strata  is  given  below. 


WILL  COUNTY 


217 


Driller's  log  of  city  well  at  Braidwood 

Elevation— 581  ±  feet 

Thickness  Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Quicksand 15                   15 

Hard    pan 6.5  21.5 

Clay  and  bowlders 12.5               34 

Clay  shale    3                   37 

Sandstone    10                   47 

Shale,    "slate'' 4  51 

Clay  shale    29                   80 

Coal    2.7  82.7 

Fire  clay ■ 3.3  86 

Sandstone    6  92 

Shale,  "slate"   . 1  93 

Coal    .5  93.5 

Clay  shale 13 . 5  107 

Shale,  sandy ;   seam  of  fire  clay 8.5  115 . 5 

Shale,  carbonaceous .5  116 

Fire   clay 2  118 

Fire   clay,   nodular 2  120 

Shale    > 3  123 

Coal    .5  123.5 

Fire   clay 1.5  125 

Shale,  black;    "slate"    .5  125 . 5 

Coal 1  126.5 

Fireclay 1.5  128 

Shale,  sandy    12  140 

Limestone 20  160 

Limestone,    fossiliferous 18  178 

Limestone  ..." , 8  186 

Shale    2  188 

Limestone    35  223 

Shale ;   limestone  bands   10  233 

Shale,  gray;    "slate"   20  253 

Shale  and  "slate"    15  278 

Limestone    377  645 

Sandstone   (St.  Peter)    208  853 

Limestone     5  858 

Sandstone 2  860 

Limestone    40  900 


CRETE 

The  village  is  situated  on  the  northern  half  of  the  Valparaiso 
morainic  system,  the  crest  of  which  is  a  few  miles  to  the  south.  The 
ground-water  conditions  are  therefore  similar  to  those  at  Steger. 

The  source  of  the  village  water  supply  is  a  192-foot  well  situated 
near  the  center  of  the  town.     The  Niagaran  limestone  was  struck  at 


218  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  INORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

about  100  feet,  and  the  well  is  cased  with  10-inch  pipe  from  the  sur- 
face to  a  depth  of  about  150  feet.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  30  feet  be- 
low the  surface;  the  effects  of  pumping  are  not  known  but  the  work- 
ing barrel  of  the  pump  is  placed  at  80  feet.  The  pump  is  operated  for 
2  hours  per  day  at  a  rate  of  approximately  90  gallons  per  minute. 

The  analysis  indicates  a  calcium  and  magnesium  carbonate  water 
somewhat  similar  to  other  Niagaran  limestone  waters  of  this 
area.  Although  the  water  is  not  so  hard  as  that  from  many  of  the  rock 
wells,  of  this  region,  it  is  nevertheless  not  advisable  to  use  it  in  boilers 
without  some  softening. 


The  original  water  works  installation  was  in  1884  and  the  source 
was  a  group  of  shallow  drift  wells.  The  supply  was  later  increased  by 
the  drilling  of  St.  Peter  and  "Potsdam"  wells  that  ranged  in  depth  from 
1,200  to  1,700  feet.  This  was  again  supplemented  by  storage  reser- 
voirs that  derived  water  from  Hickory  Creek.  A  plan  was  inaugurated 
in  1907  for  the  drilling  of  isolated  deep  wells  in  different  parts  of  the 
city.  The  first  one  drilled  was  at  Crowley  and  Ottawa  streets  and  this 
was  followed  in  1911  by  another  at  Canal  Street.  Since  then,  the  fol- 
lowing wells  have  been  drilled  in  succession  at  intervals  of  about  a  year : 
Spruce  Slip,  Van  Buren  Street,  and  Ruby  Street.  These  wells  are  lo- 
cated at  no  great  distances  from  the  central  portion  of  the  city;  the 
maximum  distance  between  any  two  wells  is  about  two  miles,  and  the 
average  is  about  half  a  mile,  although  the  Crowley  Avenue  and  the 
Canal  Street  wells  are  only  700  feet  apart. 

The  geological  succession  is  indicated  by  the  accompanying  log  that 
has  been  compiled  from  a  study  of  the  drillings.  The  chief  water-bear- 
ing stratum  is  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone  which  is  struck  at  approxi- 
mately 1,325  feet. 

The  drilling  was  discontinued  after  the  first  "Potsdam"  sandstone 
was  passed  through  ;  the  depths  range  from  1,547  to  1,563  feet.  The  wells 
are  usually  cased  with  14-inch  casing  through  the  Maquoketa  shale  or 
to  a  depth  of  about  325  feet.  In  nearly  all  the  wells  it  has  been  neces- 
sary to  place  some  casing  in  the  lower  part  of  the  Prairie  du  Chien  for- 
mation, as  there  is  a  tendency  to  cave  at  this  horizon.  In  drilling  the 
Canal  Street  well  an  oily  and  sulphurous  water  was  obtained,  which  was 
thought  to  have  its  source  in  the  Maquoketa  shale.  A  10^-ineh  casing 
was  continued  through  this  formation  to  a  depth  of  218  feet.  As  no  im- 
provement resulted  the  casing  was  extended  so  that  the  well  is  completely 
cased  from  the  surface  to  a  depth  of  893  feet  or  below  the  bottom  of  the 
St.  Peter  sandstone.     Concrete  was  also  poured  into  the  space  between 


WILL  COUNTY  219 

the  casing  and  the  wall  of  the  well ;  this  formed  a  layer  an  inch  or  more 
in  thickness.  The  well  was  then  pumped  for  a  year  at  the  rate  of 
nearly  1,000,000  gallons  per  day  and  the  water  allowed  to  run  into  the 
river.  The  oily  and  sulphurous  taste  was  still  noted,  and  a  plant  was 
installed  to  remove  the  objectionable  matter  by  aeration. 

None  of  the  waters  from  the  other  deep  city  wells  have  the  above- 
mentioned,  disagreeable  properties.  It  was  therefore  believed  that  the 
nearby  gas  works  was  responsible.  This  would  be  through  the  downward 
percolation  of  surface  waters  mixed  with  the  gas-house  wastes.  It  is, 
however,  difficult  to  understand  how  these  surface  waters  reached  the 
great  depth,  unless  they  had  access  to  an  old  "Potsdam"  well,  in  which 
case  it  would  be  readily  possible,  as  the  sulphurous  waters  of  the  bed 
rock  would  flow  into  the  uncased  deep  well  and  therefore  affect  the 
waters  at  the  lower  horizons.  An  instance  of  deep-well  waters  that 
developed  a  sulphurous  taste  was  noted  at  Blue  Island  and  is  discussed 
under  that  locality. 

The  latest  well  drilled  at  Ruby  Street,  is  cased  with  10-inch  pipe 
to  a  depth  of  1,207  feet.  This  was  because  much  difficulty  was  ex- 
perienced with  caving  material. 

The  daily  pumpage  of  each  of  these  isolated  city  wells  is  from 
500,000  to  1,000,000  gallons.  The  daily  yield  from  the  six  old  wells 
and  the  group  of  20  drift  wells  located  at  the  old  pumping  station  is 
approximately  1,500,000  gallons.  The  average  daily  consumption  of  the 
city  for  1915  was  5,500,000  gallons.  Most  of  the  isolated  wells  are 
equipped  with  air-lift  pumping  systems ;  after  the  water  has  reached 
the  surface  it  is  repumped  into  the  mains. 

There  are  other  deep  wells  in  the  city,  as  at  the  Citizens  Brewery, 
Sehring  Brewery,  State  Penitentiary,  and  the  Illinois  Steel  Mills.  Like- 
wise there  is  a  1,565-foot  well  at  Dellwood  Park,  a  little  over  a  mile 
north  of  Joliet. 

Some  small  wells  as  those  at  the  high  school  and  at  the  courthouse, 
penetrate  only  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  Nearly  all  the  factories  have 
shallow  rock  wells,  which  do  not  yield  a  large  amount. 

There  has  been  a  lowering  of  the  artesian  static  head  in  Joliet  as 
in  other  parts  of  northeastern  Illinois.  The  only  static  head  of  the 
St.  Peter  water  obtained  in  the  city  was  at  the  high  school.  The  water 
level  in  1913  at  rest  was  reported  to  be  1-18  feet  below  the  surface  or  at 
an  altitude  of  about  400  feet.  The  pumping  effects  are  not  known,  but  the 
working  barrel  at  present  is  at  a  depth  of  233  feet.  The  level  in  the 
village  well  at  Rockdale,  about  two  and  a  half  miles  southwest  of  the 
high  school,  was  72  feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an  elevation  of  470  feet 
during  September,  1915.  The  St.  Peter  wells  at  the  Joliet  Water  Works 
flowed  up  to  1900  at  least. 


220  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

The  "Potsdam"  static  head  in  1899  was  about  40  feet  above  the  sur- 
face or  at  an  elevation  of  575  feet.1  The  quantity  obtained  by  the 
natural  flow  was  not  sufficient  so  that  the  wells  were  pumped ;  the  level 
was  then  lowered  to  70  feet  below  the  surface.  In  1907,  at  the  time 
the  first  isolated  city  well  was  drilled,  the  water  level  at  rest  was  8  feet 
below  the  surface  or  at  an  approximate  altitude  of  527  feet.  The  nor- 
mal level  in  this  well  during  October,  1913,  was  reported  as  58  feet, 
but  pumping  at  the  rate  of  1,000,000  gallons  per  day  lowered  it  to  140 
feet.  The  level  in  the  Van  Buren  Street  well  was  63  feet  below  the  sur- 
face or  at  an  altitude  of  468  feet,  but  dropped  to  240  feet  when  pumping 
at  the  rate  of  650,000  gallons  per  day.  At  the  Desplaines  Street  well, 
the  level  in  1913  was  64  feet,  or  at  an  approximate  elevation  of  464 
feet,  but  receded  to  180  feet  when  the  pumpage  was  650,000  gallons  per 
day.  The  static  head  on  April  19,  1915,  in  the  recently  completed  Ruby 
Street  well  was  160  feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an  altitude  of  about  384 
feet.  This  well  is  cased  with  10-inch  pipe  to  a  depth  of  1,207  feet. 
The  water  level  is  very  low  in  comparison  with  those  of  the  other  wells 
when  at  rest.  However  there  are  two  wells  about  2,000  feet  distant 
having  a  combined  daily  pumpage  of  at  least  1,500,000  gallons  which 
very  probably  affect  the  level  at  Ruby  Street,  as  information  collected 
in  Chicago  indicated  that  such  heavy  pumpage  may  affect  wells  at  an 
even  greater  distance.  The  water  level  in  the  well  at  the  Citizens  Brew- 
ery on  September  25,  1915,  was  85  feet  below  the  surface  or  at  an 
altitude  of  457 ±  feet  after  the  well  had  been  shut  down  for  5  hours ;  the 
normal  rate  of  pumping  is  about  50  gallons  per  minute. 

The  analyses  appended  indicate  that  the  water  from  the  "Potsdam" 
sandstone  is  very  moderately  mineralized  for  deep-well  waters.  That  the 
deep  wells  at  the  Citizens  Brewery  and  at  the  Sehring  Brewery  furnish 
much  harder  waters  than  do  the  city  wells  and  the  one  at  the  high  school 
is  to  be  explained  by  the  fact  that  the  brewery  wells  are  not  cased  to 
keep  out  the  Niagaran  limestone  water  which  is  hard  at  this  locality 
and  contains  considerable  scale-forming  solids,  as  indicated  by  the  anal- 
yses of  the  Niagaran  well  waters  at  the  Moore  Stone  Company  and  the 
Porter  Brewery.  Particularly  if  the  well  is  pumped  at  a  rate  not  much 
greater  than  75  gallons  per  minute,  the  final  water  obtained  will  re- 
semble that  from  the  Niagaran  limestone  more  strongly  than  that  from 
the  deeper  strata.  The  St.  Peter  water  in  this  vicinity  is  also  of  rather 
low  mineral  content  according  to  analyses  of  the  waters  from  the  wells 
at  (lie  Joliet  High  School  and  the  Rockdale  village  well,  both  of  which 
have  sufficient  casing  to  shut  out  the  waters  from  the  Niagaran  limestone. 


1  Leverett,  F.,  The  Illinois  glacial  lobe:  U.   S.   Geol.   Survey  Monograph  38,  p.   6  19, 
1899. 


WILL  COUNTY  221 

The  waters  from  strata  at  a  depth  of  2,000  feet  or  more  will  probably  be 
highly  mineralized.  A  2,000-foot  well  at  the  Steel  Mills  is  reported  to 
yield  water  of  a  high  mineral  content.  It  might  be  here  mentioned  that 
the  1,922-foot  well  at  Lockport,  less  than  four  miles  north  of  Joliet, 
encountered  salt  water. 

The  temperature  of  the  water  from  the  1,575-foot  Desplaines  Street 
well  was  58.5°  F.  at  the  curb.  The  water  from  the  881-foot  well  at 
the  high  school  was  55.8°  F.,  delivered  from  the  deep-well  pump.  The 
waters  from  wells  a  few  hundred  feet  in  depth  varied  in  temperature 
from  53°  to  54.5°  F. 

Log  ,of  the  Joliet   City  Well,   Canal  and  Division   Sts. 
Elevation — 552  feet 
Generalized  section* 

Thickness       Depth 
Description   of   strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary   system 

Pleistocene   and   Recent 

Sand   and  gravel zy2  ZV2 

Silurian  system 
Niagaran   limestone 

Dolomite,  gray,  fine  grained 226^  230 

Ordovician  system 
Maquoketa  shale 

Shale,   dark  gray 90  320 

Galena-Platteville  limestone 

Dolomite,  light  gray  and  gray,  fine  grained 300  620 

St.   Peter   sandstone 

Sandstone     200  820 

Prairie   du   Chien  group 

Dolomite,  gray,  subcrystalline 225  1045 

Dolomite,  gray,  in  some  instances  contains  sand  grains       180  1225 
Dolomite,  sandy,  contains  numerous  specks  of  dark  min- 
eral,  glauconite    30  1255 

Sandstone,   dolomitic,   greenish   gray,   numerous   specks 

of  a  black  mineral  glauconite 25  1280 

Dolomite,    gray,    subcrystalline,    contains    some    quartz 

sand    50  1330 

Cambrian  system 
"Potsdam"  group 

Sandstone,  gray,  rounded  grains 240  1570 

a  The  detailed  log-  of  this  well  compiled  from  study  of  samples  is  to  be  found 
in   the   Survey  files   if  desired  for   reference. 

LOCKPORT 

The  city  of  Lockport  had  a  well  drilled  in  1895  to  a  depth  of  1,922 
feet,  but  salt  water  was  obtained  from  the  deeper  strata,  so  it  was  plugged 
at  1,650  feet. 


222  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

The  driller's  log  of  this  well  follows : 

Driller's  log  of  the  Lockport  city  well 

Elevation — 568+  feet 

(Authority,  J.  P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Company,  Chicago,  Illinois) 

Thickness     Depth 

Description  of  strata  Feet  Feet 

Soil,  sand,  and  gravel 3  3 

Limestone    200  203 

Shale 87  290 

Limestone    245  535 

Limestone,   brown,   hard 95  630 

Sandstone    (St.    Peter) 230  860 

Shale  and  red  marl,  "caves" 60  920 

Limestone,    sandy    280  1200 

Limestone,  hard    .- . 75  1275 

Limestone,    sandy;    and   green    shale 35  1310 

Sandstone  "Potsdam''    220  1530 

Shale,  sandy  110  1640 

Marl,   red    80  1720 

Shale 150  1870 

Sandstone 52  1922 

The  original  flow  was  275  gallons  per  minute,  but  the  static  head  low- 
ered gradually  until  in  1915  it  was  14  feet  below  the  surface,  or  at  an 
altitude  of  about  554  feet.  The  water  level  drops  to  60  feet  when  pump- 
ing at  the  rate  of  150  gallons  per  minute.  The  diameter  of  the  well 
is  10  inches  at  the  surface  and  about  6  inches  at  the  bottom. 

The  water  has  a  high  mineral  content  consisting  of  a  considerable 
amount  of  alkali  chlorides,  as  well  as  the  salts  of  calcium.  The  amount 
of  mineral  matter  is  greater  than  that  present  in  the  waters  from  wells 
at  a  similar  depth  at  Joliet ;  it  may  be  that  some  of  the  water  from  the 
lower  depths  is  able  to  get  by  the  plug  at  1,650  feet. 


The  village  is  situated  near  the  crest  of  the  Valparaiso  morainic  sys- 
tem, and  consequently  the  mantle  of  drift  is  very  heavy.  Some  wells  125 
to  150  feet  in  depth  do  not  penetrate  the  bed  rock  or  Niagaran  limestone. 
There  are  many  dug  wells  which  vary  in  depth  from  15  to  40  feet. 

The  village  water  supply  is  furnished  by  a  drilled  well  139  feet  deep 
and  cased  the  entire  distance.  There  is  a  4-foot  screen  at  the  bottom. 
The  water  level  and  effects  of  pumping  are  not  known,  but  the  working 
barrel  is  placed  at  a  depth  of  129  feet. 

There  is  no  record  of  the  amount  pumped,  but  there  are  only  17 
services,  of  which  the  largest  is  the  Rock  Island  Railroad,  with  a  con- 


WILL  COUNTY  223 

.sumption  of  12,000  gallons  per  day.     The  water  is  hard  and  contains  a 
considerable  amount  of  scale-forming  solids. 


The  village  is  situated  near  the  crest  of  the  Valparaiso  moraine.  Its 
altitude  of  803  feet  makes  it  one  of  the  highest  points  in  the  county. 

The  public  water  supply  is  furnished  by  two  wells  that  penetrate  the 
Niagaran  limestone.  The  old  well,  drilled  in  1897,  is  166  feet  in  depth 
and  is  cased  to  bed  rock  with  90  feet  of  6-inch  pipe.  Well  No.  2,  drilled 
in  1913,  is  about  the  same  depth  and  is  cased  with  10-inch  pipe  to  bed 
rock  at  90  feet.  The  wells  are  only  20  feet  apart.  The  water  level  at 
rest  is  72  feet  below  the  surface  in  both  wells.  The  old  well  will  deliver 
35  gallons  per  minute  continuously;  the  working  barrel  is  at  a  depth  of 
85  feet.  The  working  barrel  in  well  No.  2  is  at  a  depth  of  95  feet;  the 
pump  will  draw  air  in  about  1 . 5  hours  when  operating  at  the  rate  of  165 
gallons  per  minute,  this  is  when  the  other  well  is  also  delivering  35 
gallons  per  minute. 

The  analyses  of  the  waters  are  given.  There  is  a  high  content  of 
scale- forming  solids  in  each  of  the  waters  and  they  would  not  be  adapt- 
able for  boiler  use  without  considerable  softening. 

PEOTONE 

The  village  is  located  in  the  southern  half  of  the  Valparaiso  morainic 
system  and  is  underlain  by  a  heavy  drift  deposit  consisting  for  the  most 
part  of  about  100  feet  of  sandy  clay  above  a  stratum  of  sand  and  gravel 
which  yields  a  strong  supply  of  water. 

The  public  water  supply  is  furnished  by  a  10-inch  well  135  feet  deep, 
which  obtains  its  yield  from  the  bed  of  sand  and  gravel.  The  casing 
extends  to  the  water-bearing  formation.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  25 
feet  below  the  surface;  no  pumping  tests  have  been  made,  but  during  a 
fire  the  well  delivered  210  gallons  per  minute  for  4  hours.  The  average 
daily  pumpage  is  about  40,000  gallons. 

The  analysis  indicates  a  rather  hard  water  that  does  not  differ 
greatly  from  that  obtained  from  other  wells  of  like  depth  in  this  area. 

PLAINFIELD 

The  village  of  Plainfield  completed  a  1,302-foot  well  in  1915.  The 
•chief  water-bearing  strata  are  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  and  Prairie  du 
Chien  limestone.  The  water  level  at  rest  is  about  55  feet  below  the  sur- 
face or  at  an  altitude  of  approximately  557  feet.  The  well  has  a  surface 
diameter  of  12  inches  and  is  completed  at  about  8  inches.  The  pumpage 
is  at  the  rate  of  175  gallons  per  minute,  but  the  recession  is  not  known. 
The  cost  of  well  and  pump  was  about  $6,000. 


224  ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

This  new  well  supplants  an  old  Niagaran  limestone  well  that  is  kept 
in  order  only  for  emergencies.  An  analysis  of  the  water  from  the  old 
well  is  appended  in  the  absence  of  one  from  the  new  well. 

ROCKDALE 

The  village  of  Rockdale  is  situated  just  outside  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  corporate  limits  of  Joliet.  The  municipal  water  supply  is  furnished 
by  a  662-foot  St.  Peter  well,  cased  to  a  depth  of  320  feet  with  12-inch 
pipe;  the  bottom  diameter  is  8  inches.  The  pumping  equipment  is  a 
double-acting  deep- well  pump,  and  the  yield  is  about  160  gallons  per 
minute.  In  September,  1915,  the  water  level  was  72  feet  below  the  sur- 
face or  at  an  elevation  of  476  feet;  the  effects  of  pumping  are  not  known. 

The  appended  analysis  indicates  a  water  that  is  practically  identical 
with  that  from  the  well  at  the  Joliet  high  school.  There  is  enough  min- 
eral matter  so  that  some  soft  scale  would  be  formed  if  it  were  used  un- 
treated in  boilers.  As  compared  with  the  water  from  the  640-foot  well 
at  the  American  Can  Company,  the  latter  is  considerably  harder  because 
not  all  of  the  Niagaran  limestone  water  has  been  cased  off. 

STEGER 

The  city  is  located  near  the  northern  border  of  the  Valparaiso 
moraine  and  at  a  lower  elevation  than  the  region  to  the  south  and  west. 
This  higher,  drift-covered  area  constitutes  a  favorable  collecting  area, 
so  that  wells  to  the  north,  at  a  lower  elevation,  yield  large  supplies. 

The  municipal  supply  is  furnished  by  a  318-foot  well  which  pene- 
trates the  Niagaran  limestone  for  224  feet.  The  well  is  cased  with  12- 
inch  pipe  to  a  depth  of  147  feet  where  the  working  barrel  of  the  pump 
is  also  placed.  No  pumping  tests  have  been  made,  but  the  pump  oper- 
ates for  4  or  5  hours  per  day  at  the  rate  of  over  300  gallons  per  minute ; 
the  recession  during  pumping  has  not  been  determined. 

There  are  two  similar  wells  at  the  Steger  piano  factory.  These 
wells  are  so  connected  with  the  city  supply  that  the  combined  pumpage 
is  available  for  fire  protection.  The  analysis  of  the  water  shows  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  dissolved  mineral  matter,  chiefly  the  bicarbonates 
of  calcium  and  magnesium. 

WILMINGTON 

The  village  is  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Kankakee  at  a  low  ele- 
vation with  respect  to  the  surrounding  country.  The  drift  probably 
does  not  average  over  25  feet  thick;  in  fact,  the  Niagaran  limestone 
outcrops  along  Kankakee  River  and  Forked  Creek. 

The  waterworks  is  only  for  fire  protection  and  obtains  its  supply 
from  the  Kankakee.     It  was  understood  that  a  large  St.  Peter  well  was 


WINNEBAGO  COUNTY  225 

to  be  drilled  in  1916.  The  dug  wells,  15  to  30  feet  deep,  yield  sufficient 
water  for  domestic  purposes.  Numerous  springs  also  occur  along- 
Forked  Creek  and  the  river.  Two  flowing  wells  about  800  feet  in  depth 
have  been  reported.  The  water-bearing  formation  is  probably  the  St. 
Peter  sandstone,  but  the  wells  are  very  old  and  little  is  known  con- 
cerning them. 

WINNEBAGO  COUNTY 

Physiography 

Winnebago  County  is  situated  along  the  northern  border  of  the 
State,  about  midway  of  its  width;  Boone  County  adjoins  it  on  the  east, 
Lee  County  on  the  south,  and  Stephenson  County  on  the  west.  The 
total  area  is  529  square  miles. 

The  drift  deposit  covering  this  county  is  not  heavy  except  in  a  few 
places.  The  original  topography  has  therefore  not  been  greatly  modified. 
The  land  as  a  whole  is  gently  rolling,  although  the  numerous  streams 
have  cut  it  up  considerably.  Prominent  bluffs  have  been  developed  in 
many  places  along  Rock  River.  Rarely  are  any  marshes  or  undrained 
areas  found,  which  renders  the  topography  strikingly  different  from 
that  of  the  heavier  drift-covered  counties  to  the  east. 

The  drainage  of  the  county  is  effected  by  Rock  River  and  its  tribu- 
taries. This  stream  enters  the  county  in  the  northeastern  township  and 
flows  southward  across  the  eastern  part.  It  differs  from  most  Illinois 
rivers  in  that  the  waters  are  clear  and  swift  flowing.  Water  power  is 
developed  in  a  number  of  places  along  this  stream.  Pecatonica  River  is 
one  of  the  important  tributaries  and  drains  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
area.     Kishwaukee  River  drains  the  southeastern  corner. 

Geology 

The  drift  mantle  is  not  heavy  except  in  the  pre-glacial  valleys.  In 
the  western  portion  of  the  county  the  deposit  is  very  thin;  the  rock  is 
found  on  the  uplands  within  15  or  20  feet  of  the  surface  and  in  many 
places  it  outcrops.  A  loess-like  deposit  of  silt  covers  much  of  this 
portion  of  the  county.  East  of  Rock  River  the  drift  is  much  heavier, 
probably  averaging  at  least  100  feet  thick.  Along  the  pre-glacial  valley 
of  Rock  River  the  drift  attains  thicknesses  of  300  feet.  Borings  show 
that  the  rock  floor  of  the  pre-glacial  valley  is  250  to  300  feet  below  the 
present  river  bed.1  The  drift  in  the  Rockford  city  well  No.  8  was  248 
feet  thick  and  was  underlain  by  the  St.  Peter  sandstone,  although  the 
Galena-Platteville  formation  outcrops  in  the  city  along  Rock  River. 


1  Leverett,    F.,    The    Illinois    glacial    lobe:    U.    S.    Geol.    Survey    Monograph    38, 
1899. 


226  ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

A  knowledge  of  the  rock  formations  has  been  obtained  from  well 
logs  at  Rockford  from  the  examination  of  the  drillings  of  a  1,500-foot 
well  and  also  through  previous  work  of  the  Illinois  State  Geological 
Survey.  The  bed  rock  formation  of  the  greater  part  of  the  county  is 
the  Galena-Platteville  formation.  The  upper  division,  or  the  Galena 
limestone,  is  the  underlying  formation  over  two-thirds  of  the  county. 
The  area  underlain  by  this  formation  is  given  by  James  Shaw1  as 
follows : 

"An  imaginary  line  entering  the  county  ~  about  the  southeast  corner  of 
the  township  of  Roscoe,  drawn  thence  in  a  southeast  course  until  Rock  River 
was  reached;  thence  extended  round  in  a  slight  bend  toward  the  northwest, 
until  within  a  short  distance  of  the  Pecatonica  River,  at  a  point  about  four  miles 
west  of  its  mouth;  thence  meandering  along  the  Pecatonica  from  one  to  two 
miles  south  of  the  thread  of  that  stream,  until  the  western  boundary  of  the 
county  was  reached;  thence  starting  south  and  keeping  around  the  boundary 
line  to  the  place  of  beginning,  and  embracing  about  two-thirds  of  the  county, 
would  indicate  the  superficial  extent  of  this  division,  to  which  would  have 
to  be  added  a  narrow  strip,  extending  from  the  village  of  Pecatonica,  up 
toward  and  nearly  to  the  northwestern  corner  of  the  county." 

A  number  of  quarries  are  worked  in  this  area  and  the  rock  is  seen 
to  be  a  heavy-bedded,  yellowish  to  cream-colored  dolomitic  limestone. 

The  lower  division  of  Galena-Platteville  limestone  is  called  by  Shaw 
the  "Blue  Limestone"  and  is  described  by  him  as  a  thin-bedded,  bluish- 
gray  limestone  having  a  few  shaly  partings.  The  Platteville  limestone 
is  the  bed  rock  formation  over  practically  all  of  that  part  of  the  county 
in  which  *the  Galena  is  absent. 

It  is  also  known  that  small  outcrops  of  St.  Peter  sandstone  occur  in 
a  few  places  along  Rock  River  and  other  streams  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  county. 

As  revealed  by  the  Rockford  drilling,  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  has  its 
customary  thickness,  but  the  underlying  Prairie  du  Chien  limestone  is 
not  over  200  feet  thick.  Even  this  amount  is  only  obtained  by  including 
the  lower  70  feet  of  reddish-brown,  glauconiferous,  dolomitic  sandstone 
and  shale,  which  may  represent  the  Madison-Mendota  horizon.  Below 
these  strata  there  is  a  great  series  of  sandstones  which  range  from  fine  to 
coarse  grained.    As  in  the  section  at  Belvidere. 

Underground  Waters 

sources 
Practically  all  the  data  concerning  the  static  head  of  the  waters  from 
the  different  horizons  have  been  obtained  at  Rockford.    At  the  Rockford 
water- works  station  there  has  been  a  recession  of  approximately  38  feet 


1  Shaw,  James,  Geol.   Survey  of  Illinois,  vol.  V,  p.   86,  1873. 


WINNEBAGO  COUNTY  227 

in  the  "Potsdam"  water  level  since  the  first  well  was  drilled  in  1885.  The 
present  static  head  at  this  water  works  is  about  5  feet  below  the  surface. 
This  location  is  at  a  low  elevation,  but  it  is  still  probable  that  flowing 
wells  may  be  obtained  at  low  elevations  along  Rock  River,  provided  they 
are  a  few  miles  from  the  Rockford  water  works. 

A  few  flowing  wells  from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  still  exist,  but  the 
level  is  usually  a  few  feet  below  the  surface.  The  head  from  the 
"Potsdam"  sandstone  is  from  10  to  20  feet  greater  than  that  of  the  St. 
Peter  sandstone. 

CHEMICAL  CHARACTER 

The  waters  from  all  the  different  horizons  are  moderately  but  not 
excessively  mineralized.  In  general  it  might  be  said  that  the  waters  from 
wells  50  feet  or  so  in  depth  are  less  mineralized  than  those  of  greater 
depths.  The  waters  from  these  shallow  horizons,  however,  are  not 
always  abundant  and  they  may  also  be  subject  to  surface  contamination. 

LOCAL  SUPPLIES 
PECATONICA 

The  drift  in  this  vicinity  is  only  a  few  feet  thick  so  that  practically  all 
wells  penetrate  rock.  Private  wells  are  from  80  to  125  feet  in  depth. 
The  village  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a  well  12  feet  in  diameter  and 
20  feet  deep.  The  greater  part  of  the  depth  is  in  limestone.  The  well  is 
located  in  a  valley  in  the  south  part  of  the  village;  as  this  is  at  a  low 
elevation  the  ground  water  level  is  high.  Most  of  the  water  enters  the 
well  on  the  north  side  through  the  fissured  limestone.  The  water  level 
at  rest  is  within  6  or  7  feet  of  the  surface.  The  daily  consumption  is 
about  20,000  or  25,000  gallons  which  is  pumped  in  %J/2  to  3  hours.  The 
water  is  moderately  mineralized  and  would  form  some  scale  if  used 
untreated  in  boilers. 

ROCKFORD 

The  geological  succession  in  the  city  is  shown  by  the  log  of  well  No. 
8,  which  was  compiled  from  a  study  of  the  drillings.  Another  well  has 
been  drilled  to  a  depth  of  1,981  feet,  but  only  the  driller's  log  was  kept. 
In  the  lower  part  of  this  well  275  feet  of  red  shale  was  reported  to  be 
underlain  by  171  feet  of  white  sandstone,  in  which  the  drilling  was 
stopped. 

Some  of  the  wells  at  the  pumping  station  show  as  much  as  50  feet  of 
the  limestone  before  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  is  struck.  This  is  to  be 
expected,  as  this  limestone  outcrops  along  Rock  River.  However,  the 
limestone  was  not  found  in  wells  No.  7  and  8,  but  the  drift  was  much 


228 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


thicker.  The  St.  Peter  sandstone  has  a  considerable  thickness,  but  the 
Prairie  du  Chien  limestone  is  only  100  feet  thick  if  the  lower  70  feet  of 
reddish  dolomitic  sandstone  and  shale  that  probably  represents  the  Madi- 
son and  Mendota  formations  is  excluded.  The  great  series  of  sandstones 
at  the  lower  horizons  are  the  important  water-bearing  formations. 


Log  of  Rockford  City  Well  No.  8 
Elevation— 728  feet 
Generalised  section* 

Thickness     Depth 
Description    of    strata  Feet  Feet 

Quaternary  system 

Pleistocene   and   Recent 

Not  represented  in  samples,  probably  sand  and  gravel  70  70 

Sand,  gravel,  and  pebbles,  probably  river  wash 178  248 

Ordovician   system 
St.  Peter  Sandstone 

Sand,  colorless,  well  roundea 145  393 

Prairie  du  Chien  group 

Chert,    white , 37  430 

Dolomite,  gray,  crystalline 70  500 

Sandstone,    dolomitic,    reddish    brown    containing    some 

glauconite  sand  grains 50  550 

Shale,  reddish  brown,  sandy  and  dolomitic 20  570 

Cambrian  system 
"Potsdam"   group 

Sandstone,   well   rounded,   colorless   quartz   grains 150  720 

Shale,  red  and  green 40  760 

Shale,  green,  slightly  sandy  and  dolomitic 30  790 

Sandstone,    subangular   to   well    rounded,      colorless,      or 

light    yellow,    quartz    grains 540  1330 

Sandstone,  chocolate  in  color  due  to  cementing  material, 
varying  in  size  from  a  fine  powder  to  a  coarse  sand. . . .       170  1500 

a  The  detailed  log  of  this  well  compiled  from  study  of  samples  is  to  be  found 
in   the   Survey  files   if   desired   for   reference. 

The  first  municipal  water  system  was  constructed  during  1874  and 
1875  and  the  source  was  a  number  of  springs  along  Rock  River  in  the 
north  part  of  the  city.  In  a  few  years  it  was  found  that  this  supply 
was  inadequate,  and  at  times  of  heavy  consumption  it  was  necessary  to 
draw  water  from  Rock  River.  In  1885  on  the  advice  of  Prof.  T.  C. 
Chamberlin  the  first  artesian  well  was  sunk  to  a  depth  of  1,530  feet.  A 
flowing  well  was  obtained  with  a  head  of  approximately  33  feet  above 
the  surface  or  at  an  elevation  of  about  745  feet.  Additional  deep  wells 
were  drilled  from  1885  to  1888  at  the  rate  of  one  well  per  year.  These 
five  flowing  wells  ranging  in  depth  from  1,300  to  2,000  feet  constituted 
the  source  of  the  city's  supply  until  1891.     It  was  again  found  necessary 


WINNEBAGO  COUNTY  229 

to  increase  the  supply,  and  this  was  done  by  drilling  four  wells  which 
penetrated  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.  Still  further  changes  were  made  at 
various  times,  such  as  the  building  of  storage  reservoirs.  In  1895  pump- 
ing equipment  was  installed  for  the  flowing  "Potsdam"  wells  that  had 
not  previously  been  pumped. 

A  contract  was  made  in  1896  with  Mr.  Daniel  W.  Mead  for  the 
construction  of  a  shaft  and  tunnel  system.  On  the  completion  of  this 
project  three  "Potsdam"  wells  and  five  St.  Peter  wells  were  tapped  at 
a  low  level  and  the  water  permitted  to  flow  to  a  central  shaft.  This 
shaft  is  95  feet  deep  and  contains  at  the  bottom  three  pumps  of  a 
centrifugal  type.  On  a  24-hour  test  made  by  the  city  in  1898  the  yeild 
was  6,800,000  gallons.  In  1910  it  was  found  that  the  amount  of  water 
obtained  from  the  shaft  and  tunnel  system  had  decreased  nearly  one- 
half,  and  as  the  population  had  greatly  increased,  it  was  necessary  to 
obtain  a  greater  supply.  A  commission  consisting  of  J.  W.  Alvord,  D.  W. 
Mead,  and  D.  H.  Maury  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  possibility  of 
increasing  the  water  supply.  This  commission  outlined  six  plans.  The 
city  accepted  the  one  which  provided  for  the  construction  of  large  wells 
ac  a  considerable  distance  from  one  another.  At  the  present  time  two 
of  these  wells,  Nos.  7  and  8,  have  been  sunk,  the  former  approximately 
1J4  miles  southeast  of  the  old  pumping  station,  and  the  latter  about  2*/2 
miles  north  of  well  No.  7.  One  of  the  wells  was  completed  in  1913  and 
has  therefore  been  in  operation  nearly  three  years.  The  results  obtained 
have  been  very  satisfactory.  The  three  "Potsdam"  wells  of  the  shaft 
and  tunnel  system  range  in  depth  from  1,300  to  1,530  feet,  and  the  five 
connected  St.  Peter  wells  average  about  450  feet  in  depth.  These  wells 
are  reported  to  be  cased  with  150  feet  of  8-inch  pipe  which  penetrates 
bed  rock. 

Well  No.  7,  which  is  1,503  feet  in  depth  and  penetrates  the  "Pots- 
dam", is  cased  with  250  feet  of  18-inch  pipe,  below  which  there  is  also 
200  feet  of  12-inch  pipe  embedded  in  limestone  which  excludes  all  water 
from  the  St.  Peter  sandstone.     The  drilling  costs  are  given  as  follows : 

18-inch   casing   per    lineal    foot $16.00 

12-inch   casing  per  lineal   foot 6.25 

12-inch  uncased  per  lineal   foot 3.00 

This  would  give  a  total  cost  of  $8,409.  The  well  was  drilled  by  the 
Cater  Contracting  Company  of  Chicago  and  completed  in  February,  1913. 
The  pumping  equipment  was  furnished  by  the  American  Well  Works 
and  is  a  17-inch,  6-stage  combination  deep-well  and  pressure  pump, 
being  a  4-stage,  turbine  type  of  pump  located  108  feet  in  the  well,  with 
a  2-stage  centrifugal  type  of  pump  at  the  top  of  the  casing.  The  well 
is  covered  by  a  small,  brick  pump  house  which  protects  the  motor  and 


230  ARTESIAN  WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

other  surface  equipment.  The  entire  cost  of  installation  was  approxi- 
mately $20,000,  which  included  ground,  well,  pump  house,  motor,  and 
automatic  starting  apparatus.  The  cost  of  pumping,  which  includes 
interest  and  depreciation  on  equipment,  is  reported  as  2  cents  per  1,000 
gallons  delivered  to  the  mains.  This  well  delivers  1,400-  gallons  per 
minute. 

Well  No.  8  was  drilled  in  1914-15  but  the  pumping  equipment  has 
not  yet  been  installed.     The  cost  of  drilling  was  as  follows : 

22-inch  casing  per  lineal  foot $24.45 

12-inch  casing  per  lineal  foot 6.75 

12-inch  uncased  per  lineal  foot 2.50 

However,  a  lump  bid  of  $8,990  was  made  for  drilling  to  a  depth 
of  1,500  feet.  The  contractors  for  each  of  these  wells  furnished  the 
coal  for  heating  their  boilers. 

The  water  level  at  rest  in  well  No.  7  is  108  feet  above  city  datum ; 
the  water  level  when  delivering  1,400  gallons  per  minute  is  42  feet,  or  a 
lowering  of  66  feet.  This  static  head  is  higher  than  that  at  the  pump- 
ing station,  which  is  probably  due  to  several  causes.  The  well  is  over 
a  mile  distant  from  the  old  pumping  station,  is  new  and  therefore  clog- 
ging is  absent,  and  the  large  diameter  reduces  the  pipe  friction.  Well 
No.  8  at  rest  has  a  water  level  of  120  feet  above  the  city  datum.  As  the 
pumping  equipment  has  not  yet  been  installed  it  is  not  possible  to  give 
the  effects  of  pumping. 

In  many  parts  of  Rockford  the  St.  Peter  sandstone  either  directly 
underlies  the  drift,  or  is  found  just  below  the  thin  Galena-Platteville 
formation.  There  is  consequently  some  variation  in  the  St.  Peter  water 
level  but  it  is  usually  within  a  few  feet  of  the  surface  except  in  the 
higher  portions  of  the  city.  Rarely  does  a  flowing  well  occur.  The  St. 
Peter  water  level  at  the  Graham  Distillery  was  11  feet  below  the  sur- 
face in  March,  1914;  the  surface  elevation  is  102+  feet,  city  datum  or 
707  feet  above  sea  level.  In  the  well  owned  by  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee 
and  St.  Paul  Railway  Company  the  St.  Peter  water  level  was  12  feet 
below  the  surface  in  1913,  whereas  the  ground  water  was  only  8  feet. 

At  the  time  the  first  "Potsdam"  well  in  Rockford  was  drilled  in 
1885,  the  head  was  approximately  33  feet  above  the  surface.  The  lower- 
ing of  the  water  table  since  that  time  has  not  been  excessive  and  is  not  at 
all  comparable  with  that  in  the  Chicago  area.  The  following  data  con- 
cerning the  water  levels  at  various  times  have  been  obtained: 


WINNEBAGO  COUNTY 


231 


Static  head  of  "Potsdam"  water  table  at  Rockford 


Well 
No. 


Surface 

altitude 

above  city 

datuma 


Year 
drilled 


Depth 


Altitude  of  static  head  above 
city  datuma 


Original  Nov.  1891 


1910 


1915 


Feet 

Feet 

1 

107± 

1885 

1,530 

135.9 

113.0 

102± 

102± 

2 

107± 

1886 

1,320 

116.7 

112.4 

102± 

102± 

3 

107± 

1886 

1,981 

120.8 

118.5 

102± 

102± 

4 

107± 

1887 

1,300 

116.0 

114.4 

102± 

102± 

5 

107± 

1888 

1,379 

127.7 

118.7 

102± 

102± 

7 

130.3 

1913 

1,503 

108 

8 

122.5 

1915 

1,500 

120 

120 

City  datum  is   605   feet  above  sea  level. 


A  series  of  very  accurate  tests  was  made  upon  these  wells  in 
August,  1910,  and  it  was  found  that  when  the  wells  were  being  pumped 
at  the  rate  of  3,600,000  gallons  per  day,  the  recession  in  the  water  level 
was  approximately  75  feet.  The  rising  curves  made  at  that  time  show 
that  60  feet  of  the  recovery  was  made  within  15  minutes  after  pumping 
had  ceased.  The  remainder  of  the  recovery  required  over  4  hours. 
Tests  were  made  by  Mr.  O.  E.  Bulkeley  of  the  Rockford  Engineering 
Department,  January  24,  1914,  in  order  to  determine  the  water  levels. 
The  wells  selected  were  Nos.  2  and  4;  the  latter  is  connected  with  the 
shaft  and  tunnel  system  and  No.  2  is  only  a  few  hundred  feet  distant. 
The  wells  were  shut  down  for  nearly  5  hours  and  measurements  made  at 
frequent  intervals  during  this  period.  The  rising  curves  obtained  are 
similar  to  those  of  1910,  which  place  the  static  head  at  approximately  102 
feet  above  city  datum ;  this  is  for  the  wells  at  the  pumping  station. 

It  was  found  that  the  specific  capacity,  or  the  yield  under  one  foot 
head,  of  the  "Potsdam"  wells  had  decreased  greatly  since  1891.  This  is 
shown  by  the  following  table  by  Prof.  C,  S.  Slichter  contained  in  the 
1910  report  of  the  Rockford  water  commission. 

Professor  Slichter  does  not  consider  that  the  reduction  in  specific 
capacity  is  entirely  due  to  the  mechanical  clogging  of  the  water-bearing 
sandstone  in  the  vicinity  of  the  wells.  He  believes  that  much  of  the 
clogging  is  because  of  the  growth  of  low  forms  of  plant  life  in  the  pores 
of  the  rock  in  the  walls  of  the  well,  supported  by  the  carbon  dioxide 
liberated  as  a  result  of  the  reduction  in  pressure. 


232 


AETESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Specific  capacity  of  Rockford  wells 


a  The  amounts  deducted  from  heads  are  the  approximate  losses  of  head  due  to 
pipe  friction. 

b  Including-   St.   Peter   sandstone.     c  Deducting   for   St.    Peter   sandstone. 


APPENDIX 

Mineral  and  Boiler  Analyses  of 
The  Artesian  Waters  of  Northeastern  Illinois 


234 


ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  I. — Mineral  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth    of   well feet 

Depth    of    casing feet 

Rate    of    pumping.  .  gals,    per    min. 
Date  sample  was  collected 


Boone 
Belvidere 


1,800 
Oct".  2l!  '13 


Cook 

Barrington 

(Waterworks) 


Village 


315 

200 

400 

Aug.  24,  '14 


Cook 

Bellewood 

(Waterworks) 


Village 


1,538 
87 
200 
July  7,  '14 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Armour 

powerhouse, 

U.  S.  yards) 

Armour  &  Co. 


1,581 
To  bed  rock 

1,000 
July  20,  '14 


Determinations  made 


Potassium 

Sodium 

Ammonium 

Magnesium 

Calcium 

Iron 

Alumina 

Nitrites 

Nitrates 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Silica 

Hydrogen  sulphide 

Manganese 

Bases 


3.3 

6.3 

.2 

45.5 

110.8 

.07 

.2 

.3 

9.5 

24. 

85.3 

12.1 

4.7 

39.8 

5 

50.1 

61.9 

1. 

2.6 

.0 

.0 

6. 

174.2 

19. 

1.6 


42.5 

697. 

2.1 

83.1 

375.3 

1.5 

4. 

.0 

.7 

1500. 

413.9 

19.5 

.42 

Hypothetical  combinations 


.5 

8. 

'6.3' 

11.7 

.6' 

'  *22.i* 

106.9 
63.3 

'276.5* 
.1 

.2 

12.1 

.0 

""4.4" 

"3.8" 
'  '66.6' 

'2.9* 

'  '3*7.7' 
111.9 

'129.'  ' 

.8 

1.7 

37.9 

.6 

'  "9.'  ' 

''2.8* 

119.3 

'i.8* 
"115.7" 

92.5 

'154.5' 

2.1 
2.6 
19. 
1.6 

1  1 

Potassium   chloride 

80.2 

Sodium  chloride 

1769. 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

Ammonium  nitrate ... 

6.2 

Ammonium  carbonate 

Magnesium  nitrate 

325. 

Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

'224.9' 
586.7 
303.3 

Iron  carbonate 

Alumina 

3.1 

4. 
19.5 

1. 

Total 

508.3 

397.3 

520.9 

3324. 

Hypothetical 

combinations 

Potassium  nitrite 

.03 
.46 

.37 
.68 

.03 

'  "l'.29 
6.23 
3.69 

'    16.12 

.01 
.01 

.7 
.0 

.26 

.22 

"3. 88 

'  '.17 

""2.2' 
6.53 

"7.5*2 

.05 

.1 

2.21 

.03 

.52 

.16 
6.96 

.1* 

'6.75 
5.39 

'  '9.01 

.12 

.15 

1.11 

.09 

7o6 

Potassium  chloride 

4.68 

Potassium  sulphate 

103.18 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

Ammonium  chloride 

.36 

Ammonium  sulphate 

Ammonium  carbonate 

Magnesium  chloride 

Magnesium  sulphate 

18.96 

Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

'  '18.12 

34.22 

Calcium  carbonate 

i  ron    carbonate 

17.69 
.18 

.23 

ftii  Lea 

1.14 

liases 

.06 

Total 

29.62 

23.17 

30.36 

193.88 

MINERAL  ANALYSES  OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 

waters  in   northeastern   Illinois 


235 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(Packers 

(Oakley  St. 

(Union  Stock 

(Union  Stock 

(Arthington 

(Arthington 

Ave.,  Union 

&  48th  Ave.) 

Yards,  Oleo. 

Yards) 

&  Homan 

&  Homan 

S.  Yards) 

house) 

Ave.) 

Ave.) 

Chem- 

Armour &  Co. 

Illinois  Vine- 

Morris &  Co. 

Sulzberger 

Sears  Roe- 

Sears Roe- 

ical 

gar  Works 

Sons&  Co., 
well  No.  2 

buck  &  Co. 

buck  &  Co. 

formula 

1,600 

1,942 

2,300 

1,620 

1,623 

1,868 

70 

56 

To  bed  rock 

64 

92 

853 

1,400 

275 

250 

635 

340 

530 

July  16,  '14 

June  26,  '15 

Aug.  31,  '14 

Aug.  31,  '14 

Oct.  7,  '15 

Oct.  7,  '15 

(parts  per  million) 


25.2 

20. 

70.9 

21.3 

25.4 

33.6 

K 

220.8 

320.3 

1232. 

138.8 

185.2 

330.5 

Na 

.8 

1.3 

4.1 

7.2 

.6 

6 

NHi 

48.9 

74.4 

122.5 

42. 

25.4 

29. 

Mg 

213.3 

45.2 

543.2 

130.7 

143.8 

163.8 

Ca 

1.3 

.4 

3.6 

.4 

.5 

.3 

Fe 

2. 

3.4 

4.9 

4.2 

2.5 

6.4 

A1£03 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

N02 

1.1 

2.1 

1.8 

1.8 

1.2 

1.2 

N03 

280. 

405. 

2900. 

135. 

255. 

490. 

CI 

547.2 

304.7 

314.8 

374.8 

324.9 

329.2 

S04 

16.8 

10.4 

20. 

15.2 

12.8 

10. 

SiOa 

.38 

HoS 

.08 

.0 

.0 

J\fn 

.6 

2.4 

1. 

.8 

.0 

.0 

Bases 

(parts  per  million) 


KNO3 

1.8 

3.4 

2.9 

2  9 

2. 

2_ 

KCl 

46.7 

35.6 

133. 

38.5 

46.9 

62.5 

KoS04 

NaNOa 

NaCl 

426.1 

640.4 

3126.8 

193. 

384. 

759.6 

Na2S04 

166.2 

209.7 

'  'ii.l" 

191.2 

104.5 

96.2 

Na,COs 
NH4NO3 

NH4CI 

(NH4)2S04 

2.9 

4.8 

'479.'* 

26.3 

2.2 

2.2 

(NH4)8COs 
Mer(N03)o 

MgCl2 
MgS04 

241.7 

200. 
117.4 

'964.1' 

207.6 

125.6 

143.4 

MgCC3 

CaClo 

CaSO"4 

343. 

446.2 

86.3 

216.0 

210.3 

CaC03 

252. 

112.8 

212.7 

262.8 

200.4 

255.4 

PeC03 

2.7 

.8 

7.5 

.8 

1. 

.6 

A1203 

2. 

3.4 

4.9 

4.2 

2.5 

6.4 

Si02 

16.8 

10.4 

20. 

15.2 

12.8 

10. 

Bases 

2.4 

2.4 

1. 

.8 

Total 

1504.4 

1341.1 

5350.2 

1029.6 

1097.9 

1548.6 

(grains  per 

U.  S.  gallon) 

.12 

KNOa 

.1 

.2 

.17 

.17 

2.74 

.11 

KNO3 

2.72 

2.08 

7.76 

2.25 

'  22".  4  6 

3.63 

KCl 
1  ^SO* 

NaNOa 

24.85 

37.35 

182.39 

il.26 

6.09 

44.31 

NaCl 

9.69 

12.23 

.71 

11.15 

5.60 

Na->S04 
Na.CO., 
NH,N03 

NH4CI 

.17 

.28 

'  '27.93 

1.53 

.13 

.13 

(NH.i)..S04 
(NH.,)aC03 
Mg(N03)2 

MgCl2 

14.  i 

11.67 
6.84 

'  '52.74 

12.11 

7.33 

8.36 

MgS04 
MgCOa 
CaCla 

20.01 

26.03 

5.03 

12.60 

12.26 

CaS04 

14.70 

6.58 

12.41 

15.33 

11.70 

14.90 

CaCO:! 

.16 

.05 

.44 

.05 

.06 

.03 

FoCOs 

.12 

.20 

.29 

.24 

.15 

.37 

AI0O3 

.98 

.61 

1.17 

.89 

.75 

.58 

SiOa 

.14 

.14 

.06 

.05 

Bases 

87.74 

78.23 

312.10 

60.06 

64.07 

90.28 

Total 

236 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  I. — Mineral  analyses  of  underground 


County. 

Town.  . 


Owner. 


Depth    of   well feet 

Depth    of    casing feet 

Rate    of    pumping.  .  .gals,     per    min. 
Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Forest  Park 

(Jackson 

Blvd.  & 

Lehmer  St.) 

City 


2,012 
90± 
765 
June  28,  '15 


Cook 

Matteson 

(Waterworks) 


"Village 


282 
To  bed  rock 

200 
Oct.  27,  '14 


Cook 

Riverdale 

(Waterworks) 


"Village 


434 
50 
125 
June  30,  '15 


Cook 
Proviso 
Township 
(SE.  %  NW. 
%  sec.  5) 
Chicago 
North  West- 
ern R.  R. 
well  No.  5 
1,841 
1,72b 
90 
June  30.  '15 


Potassium. 
Sodium.  .  .  . 
Ammonium. 
Magnesium . 
Calcium 

Iron 

Alumina.  .  . 
Nitrites 
Nitrates.  .  .  . 
Chlorine.  .  .  , 
Sulphate.  .  . 

Silica 

Manganese . 
Bases 


Determinations  made 


16. 
113.6 

.4 

8.1 

13.5 

1. 

.0 
1.1 

44. 

45.3 

10.8 

Hypothetical  combinations 


'l.8' 

27.2 

'll9.'  ' 
156. 

*1.8* 

'l*30'.5' 
23.2 

■269.2' 
1. 
1.1 

9.2 
.6 

2.9 

8.4 
2.4 

'167. 3* 

'2.9' 

'  'is.' ' 

67.5 

'367.5' 

8.3 

4.5 

11.4 

1.6 

1.8' 

23.8. 

'  '7.8* 
107.9 
156.5 

"  '.8* 

'  '31.2' 

'  '50.4' 
.6 
1.4 
11. 
1. 

Potassium  nitrate 

1.8 
29.2 

Potassium  sulphate 

Potassium  carbonate 

49  7 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

Ammonium  nitrate 

Ammonium   chloride 

Ammonium   sulphate 

67. 
166.4 

Ammonium  carbonate 

1.1 

Magnesium  chloride 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium   carbonate 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

'  'ii.'i 

'  *78.6' 

Iron  carbonate 

.6 
1. 

Silica 

10.8 

Bases 

1.4 

Total 

680.6 

704.7 

394.2 

435.7 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Potassium  nitrite 

.10 
1.59 

'  '6.94 
9.10 

.10 

'  '7.61 
1.35 

'  '12.20 

.06 
.06 
.54 
.03 

.17 
.49 
.14 

'6.26 

'  '.17 

'  'l'o'.kb 
3.94 

'  '17.94 

.48 
.26 
.66 

.09 

.10 

1.39 

.45 
6.29 
9.13 

.05 

'l'.82 

'2.94 
.03 

.08 

.64 

.06 

Potassium   nitrate 

.10 

Potassium  chloride 

1.70 

Potassium   sulphate 

Potassium  carbonate 

Sodium   nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

2.90 

Sodium   sulphate 

3.91 

Sodium   carbonate 

Ammonium  nitrate 

9.71 

Ammonium  sulphate 

Ammonium   carbonate 

.06 

Magnesium   chloride 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium   chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

1.64 

4.58 

1  ton  <;i  rbonate 

Ai  urn  Ina 

.03 

.06 

Silica 

.t;:: 

.OS 

Total 

39.68 

41.10 

22.IIS 

25.40 

MINEEAL  ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATEES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


237 


De  Kalb 

De  Kalb 

De  Kalb 

Dupage 

Dupage 

Dupage 

De  Kalb 

Genoa 

Hinckley 

Glen  Ellyn 

Naperville 

West  Chi- 
cago 

Chem- 

(Waterworks) 

(Waterworks) 

(Waterworks) 

(Water- 

(Water- 

(Water- 

ical 

works) 

works) 

works) 

formula 

City 

Village 

Village 

Village 

City 

City 

1,500 

708 

310 

1,375 

322 

75 

100 

114 

14 

90 

200 

200 

275 

300 

200 

Dec.  21,  '14 

Oct.  24,  '13 

May  15,  '14 

Aug.  5,  '14 

June  4,  '15 

Nov.  12,  '14 

(parts  per  million) 


12.2 

6.2 

3. 

4.5 

9.6 

4.3 

K 

15.9 

5.6 

21.8 

58.1 

20.9 

24.7 

Na 

.5 

.4 

1.4 

.5 

.1 

.5 

NHi 

3.3 

33.8 

38.5 

30.6 

44.2 

37.4 

Mg 

75.3 

65.6 

52. 

62. 

84.6 

66.6 

Ca 

.1 

.0 

.7 

.4 

.1 

.8 

Fe 

1.1 

.6 

2.1 

1.7 

1.3 

2.1 

A1203 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.1 

.0 

N02 

.2 

.0 

1.8 

.0 

8.8 

.0 

NOj 

1. 

1. 

8. 

1. 

20.      ■ 

13. 

CI 

.0 

4.4 

1.8 

85.6 

121.6 

62.3 

S04 

33.4 

18.4 

18. 

21.5 

7.8 

14.1 

Si03 

.0 

.00 

Mn 

.0 

.6 

.9 

.7 

2. 

3.4 

Bases 

(parts  per  million) 


KNOs 

.3 

2.9 

14.3 

KNO3 

2. 

2.1 

8. 

3.6 

8.6 

9.7 

8.2 

KC1 

K,S04 

19.4 

2.6 

K0CO3 
NaNOa 

10.4 

9.7 

25.4 

15. 

NaCl 

2.7 

126.6 

33.6 

58. 

Na2S04 

36.6 

12.9 

38.7 

30.6 

.3' 

"'l.s' 

NaoC03 

NH4NO3 

NH4CI 

(NH4)oS04 

1.1 

3.7 

1.3 

*123.8 " 

'  27.3' 

(NH4)2C03 
Mg(N03)2 
MeO]~ 
MgS04 

11.4 

124. 

133.3 

106. 

66.4 

110.4 

MgCOs 

CaClo 
CaSO* 

187.9 

163.8 

129.8 

154.8 

211.2 

166.2 

CaC03 

.2 

1.5 

.8 

.2 

1.6 

FeC03 

1.1 

.6 

2.1 

1.7 

1.3 

2.1 

Alo03 

33.4 

18.4 

18. 

21.5 

7.8 

14.1 

Si03 

2.3 

.6 

.9 

.7 

2. 

3.4 

Bases 

294.6 

334.1 

347.6 

462.3 

496. 

408.1 

Total 

(grains  per 

U.  S.  gallon 

) 

KN03 

.02 

.17 

.83 

KN03 

.11 

.12 

.47 

.21 

.50 

.57 

.48 

KC1 

KoSO, 

1.13 

.15 

K>CO., 
NaN03 

.61 

.57 

1.48 

.87 

NaCl 

.16 

7.38 

1.96 

3.38 

Na«SO* 

2.10 

.75 

2.26 

1.78 

'  "  '  '.02 

'  '  '  '.10 

NaftCOs 

NH.NOs 

NH,C1 

(NH.,)oS04 

.06 

.22 

.08 

V.22 

V.59 

(NH').,COa 
Ms;  (NO.,) 2 
MgrCla 
MgS04 

.66 

7.23 

7.77 

6.18 

3.87 

6.43 

MgC03 
CaCla 

CaSO.t 

10.95 

9.55 

7.57 

9.03 

12.32 

9.69 

CaCOa 

.01 

.09 

.05 

.01 

.09 

FeC03 

.06 

.03 

.12 

.10 

.08 

.12 

AloOa 

1.95 

1.07 

1.05 

1.25 

.45 

.8.2 

SiOo 

.13 

.03 

.05 

.04 

.11 

.20 

Bases 

17.12 

19.46 

20.28 

26.96 

28.92 

23.77 

Total 

238 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  I. — Mineral  analyses  of  underground 


County. 
Town.  . 


Owner 

Depth    of   well feet 

Depth    of    casing- feet 

Rate    of    pumping,  .gals,    per    min. 
Date  sample  was  collected 


Grundy 
Coal  City 

(Waterworks) 


City 

350 
285 
180 
May  24,  '14 


Grundy 
M'inooka 

(Main  St.) 


City 

2,100 

Flows',  40 
Sept.  24,  '15 


Grundy 
Morris 

(Waterworks) 


City 

765 
90 
,       160 
Sept.  22,  '15 


Kane 
Aurora 

(Waterworks) 
Well  No.  3) 


City 

2,200 
250 
350 
July  20,  '15 


Determinations  made 


Potassium. 
Sodium.  .  .  . 
Ammonium 
Magnesium 
Calcium.  .  . 

Iron 

Alumina.  .  . 
Nitrites.  .  . 
Nitrates . .  . 
Chlorine.  .  . 
Sulphate. . . 

Silica 

Manganese. 
Bases 


6.1 

52. 

'  '29.5' 

65.5 
.1 
.4 
.0 

6.2 
9. 
53. 

11. 

.0 

3.6 

14.4 
86.2 

.4 
27.3 
68.6 

.4 


135. 

36.7 

10 
.0 
.0 


Hypothetical  combinations 

"  "53.V 

'378.7' 
288.9 

'6.6' 

'l75.1* 

44.7 

'222.7 

5.8 

3.8 

10.6 

1. 

'  '56.4* 
1421.2' 

'l'.2* 

'  '28.5' 

51.7 

7.5 

*221*.i" 
.6 

trace 

10.4 

4. 

' '4.2' 

'  "io'.i" 
11.6 

78.4 
50.6 

'l'o'i.i' 

'163.5' 

.2 

A 

11. 

3.6 

.2 

4.9 

23  6 

Potassium  sulphate 

Sodium  chloride 

183.8 
42  5 

Ammonium  nitrate 

Ammonium  sulphate 

1.5 

Magnesium  nitrate 

8.6 

88.6 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

'l7'i.i' 

.8 

Alumina 

.8 

Silica 

10. 

Bases 

Total 

1191.6 

1802.6 

435.7 

536.4 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Potassium  nitrite 

Potassium  nitrate.  .  .  . 
Potassium  chloride... 
Potassium  sulphate.  .  . 

Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Ammonium  nitrate.  .  . 
Ammonium  chloride.  . 
Ammonium  sulphate.. 
Ammonium  carbonate, 
Magnesium  nitrate... 
Magnesium  chloride.. 
Magnesium  sulphate.. 
Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Alumina 

Silica 

Bases  .< 

Total 


3.13 


22.09 
16.85 


,38 


10.21 
2.61 


12.99 
.34 
.22 
.62 
.06 


69.50 


3.29 
82.90 


.07 


1.66 

3.00 

.44 


12.89 

.03 

trace 

.61 

.23 


105.12 


,24 


.59 

.68 

4.56 

2.95 


5.95 


9.54 
.01 
.02 
.64 
.21 


25.39 


.01 

.29 

1.38 


10.72 
2.48 


,09 


.50 

5.17 


9.98 
.05 
.05 
.58 


31.30 


MINERAL  ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 

waters  in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


239 


Kane 

Kane 

Kane 

Kane 

Kane 

Kane 

Aurora 

Aurora 

Aurora 

Aurora 

Batavia 

Mont- 
gomery 

(Waterworks) 

(Talma  St. 

(River  St. 

(Philips 

(SE.  % 

Well  No.  5) 

well) 

well) 

Park  well) 

sec.  32,  T. 

38  N.,  R.  8 

E.) 

Chem- 
ical 

City 

City 

City 

City 

City 

Magnesia 
Spring  Co. 

formula 

2,250 

2,185 

2,263 

2,759 

2,000 

115 

255 

350 

255 

135 

650 

450 

Flows,  150 

100 

Flows,  5 

July  20,  '15 

July  20,  '15 

July  20,  '15 

July  20,  '15 

Sept.  28,  '15 

July  20,  '15 

(parts  per  million) 


11. 

16. 

16.6 

26.1 

1.5 

14.9 

K 

48.1 

51.2 

134.7 

486.2 

5.5 

157.4 

Na 

.5 

.1 

.3 

.8 

.6 

.6 

NH4 

24.9 

23.3 

28.7 

62.1 

22.4 

10.4 

Mg 

64.5 

63.5 

82.9 

240.5 

56. 

15.3 

Ca 

.4 

.3 

.5 

5. 

.3 

.2 

Fe 

1.2 

.4 

1.2 

1.6 

4. 

.9 

AIO3 

.5 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

NO, 

3.5 

3.5 

1.1 

1.8 

1.2 

2.5 

N03 

93. 

35. 

258. 

1075. 

10. 

1. 

CI 

27.2 

41.9 

29.6 

107.1 

6. 

76.2 

so4 

9. 

10.5 

12. 

11.6 

15.fi 

11.6 

Si02 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

Mn 

.0 

.2 

.4 

.0 

.0 

.0 

Bases 

(parts  per  million) 


.9 

KN02 

5.7 

5.7 

1.8 

2.9 

2. 

4.1 

KNO3 

16. 

26.3 

30.3 

47.6 

1.3 

2.1 

27.2 

KCl 
K2S04 

NaNOs 

122.1 

37.1 
62. 

38. 

341.8 

1234. 

14. 

'  '90.6* 

294.6 

NaCl 
Na2S04 
Na2C03 
NH4NOa 

1.5 

.3* 

.9 

1.9 

1.7 

'  "Y.6" 

NH4C1 

(NH4)2SQ4 
(NH4)2CQ3 
Mg(N03)2 

13.9 

34.7 

243.2 

MgCl2 

34.1 

37.1 

7.5 

MgSQ4 

50.2 

80.7 

42.9 

"191.6* 

151.8 

72.4 

36. 

MgCO's 

CaClo 
CaS04 

161. 

158.5 

206.9 

316. 

139.8 

38.2 

CaCOa 

.8 

.6 

1. 

10.4 

.6 

.4 

FeCOs 

1.2 

.4 

1.2 

1.6 

4. 

.9 

AI0O3 

9. 

10.5 

12. 

11.6 

15.6 

11.6 

SiOa 

.2 

.4 

A 

Bases 

416.4 

420.3 

711. 

2212.6 

258.9 

507.7 

Total 

(grains  per 

U.  S.  gallon 

) 

.05 

KNOa 

.33 

.33 

.10 

.17 

.12 

.24 

KNO3 

.93 

1.53 

1.77 

2.78 

.07 

.12 
1.59 

KCl 

K2SO4 

KNO3 

7.12 

2. 16 
3.62 
2.22 

19.99 

71.98 

.82 

'5.28 
17.18 

NaCl 
NaoS04 
Na2COs 
NH4NO3 

.09 

.02 

.05 

.11 

.10 

'  '  '.09 

NH4C1 
(NH4),S04 
(NH4)2"C03 
Mg(N03)2 

.81 

2.02 

14.19 

MgClo 

1.99 

2.16 

.44 

MgS04 

2.93 

4.71 

2.50 

'  Yi'.is 

8.85 

4.21 

2.10 

MgCOa 
CaCla 

CaS04 

9.39 

9.24 

12.07 

18.43 

8.16 

2.23 

CaC03 

.05 

.03 

.06 

.61 

.03 

.02 

FeCOs 

.     .07 

.02 

.07 

.09 

.23 

.05 

AI0O3 

.52 

.61 

.70 

.68 

.91 

.68 

SiOo 

.01 

.02 

.02 

Bases 

24.28 

24.50 

41.51 

129.07 

15.09 

29.60 

Total 

240 


ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  I. — Mineral  analyses  of  underground 


County. 
Town.  . 


Owner 

Depth    of    well feet 

Depth    of    casing. feet 

Rate    of    pumping,  .gals,    per    min. 
Date  sample  was  collected 


Kane 
Maple  Park 

("Waterworks) 


Village 


250 
250 
40 
July  31,  '15 


Kane 
St.  Charles 

(Waterworks) 


City 


350 
To  bed  rock 

120 
Aug.  6,  '14 


Kane 
St.  Charles 

(Park  St. 
well) 


City 


850 
60 
200 
Aug.  .6,  '14 


Kankakee 
Manteno 

(Waterworks) 


Village 


426 
17 
100 
Mar.  30,  '14 


Determinations  made 


Potassium. 
Sodium.  .  .  . 
Ammonium 
Magnesium 
Calcium .  .  . 

Iron 

Alumina .  .  . 
Nitrites .  .  . 
Nitrates .  .  . 
Chlorine.  .  . 
Sulphate.  .  . 

Silica 

Manganese 
Bases 

Potas 

Potas 

Potas 

Potas 

Sodiu 

Sodiu 

Sodiu 

Sodiu 

Amm 

Amm 

Amm 

Amm 

Magn 

Magn 

M'agn 

Magn 

Calcii 

Caleb 

Calcii 

Iron 

Alum 

Silica 

Mang 

Bases 

T 

Potassium  nitrite 

Potassium  nitrate 

Potassium  chloride 

Potassium  sulphate 

Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

Ammonium  nitrate 

Ammonium  chloride 

Ammonium  sulphate.  ....... 

Ammonium  carbonate 

Magnesium  nitrate 

Magnesium   chloride 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium   carbonate ........ 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

A  lurnina 

.Silica 

Manganese  carbonate 

liases 

Total 

a  Plus    14    feet   of   screen 


5. 

26.7 

.5 

26.9 

52.4 

.1 

1.3 

2.5 

'.0 

2. 

23.5 

15.4 


14.7 

52.8 
.3 

45.7 

85.1 

.8 

2.6 

.0 

22.1 

27. 

98.1 

15.4 

"l."  ' 


13. 

34.7 

1. 

30.7 

64.6 

.4 

1.5 

.0 

3.9 

4. 

29.7 

10.7 

.06 


18.3 

.0 

47.2 

120.7 

.4 

.6 

.16 

14.1 

28. 

184.9 

11.8 

Hypothetical  combinations 

" '4.i' 
3.1 
5.1 

'  '30.6* 

38.7 

"1.3' 

'  "93.2" 

-130.8- 

.2 
1.3 

15.4 

.2* 

'  '36.'  ' 
1.5 

' '43.4' 
110.1 

'1.1' 
'  '28.7' 

138.2 

'212.4' 

1.7 

2.6 

15.4 

'    "3.'  ' 

6.4 

8.4 

13.6 

'  '32.8' 
55.4 

'  '2.V 

"i66.3' 

'l6'i.3' 

.8 

1.5 

10.7 

.  .  .„  . 

3 

Potassium  nitrate 

17.3 

Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

4.8 
43.1 

Sodium  carbonate 

Ammonium  chloride 

Ammonium  carbonate 

Magnesium  chloride 

Magnesium  sulphate 

2.6 

229.9 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

'i.l' 
300.8 

Iron  carbonate 

.8 
.6 

11.8 

Manganese  carbonate 

•  • 

Total 

324. 

594.1 

400.9            1            614.5 

Hypothetical  combinations 


.24 
.18 
.30 


1.78 

2.25 


.08 


5.43 


7.63 
.01 
.08 
.90 


.0  1 


18.89 


2.10 
.09 


2.53 
6.42 


.06 


1.67 
8.06 


12.39 
.10 
.15 
.90 


.17 


.37 
.49 
.79 


1.91 
3.23 


.16 


6.20 


9.41 
.05 
.09 
.62 


.06 


34.64 


23.38 


.02 
1.01 


.28 
2.51 


.15 
13.41 


.12 
17.55 
.05 
.03 
.69 

"  '.02 


35.84 


MINERAL,    ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


241 


Kankakee 

Lake 

Lake 

La  Salle 

La  Salle 

La  Salle 

Reddick 

Highland 
Park 

Lake  Zurich. 

Cedar 
Point 

Grand  Ridge 

La  Salle 

(Town  Hall) 

(iy2  miles 

(Waterworks) 

(Water- 

(Water- 

(NE. % 

west  in  NE. 

works) 

works) 

sec.  35,  T. 

%  sec.  21,  T. 

34  N,  R. 

43  N.,  R.  12 

IE) 

E.) 

Chem- 

Village 

Tillman 

Village 

Cedar 

Point 

Light  & 

Water  Co. 

Village 

Mitchell 
Bros. 

ical 
formula 

268 

180 

218 

1,750 

160 

290 

165 

218 

900 

a146 

Not  used 

Flows,  2 

35 

75 

110 

Aug.  11,  '13 

Aug.  24,  '14 

June  14,  '15 

Feb.  7,  '13 

July  5,  '15 

July  29,  '12 

(parts  per  million) 


9. 

3.6 

4.1 

29. 

3. 

3.9 

K 

1868.3 

73.4 

111.1 

299.5 

63.4 

17.2 

Na 

.6 

.7 

.6 

2. 

1.8 

trace 

NHj 

16.8 

45. 

113.3 

.7 

13.7 

35. 

Mg 

35.7 

55.2 

196.6 

71.7 

24.7 

88.8 

Ca 

2.06 

.1 

.2 

.3 

.9 

.4 

Fe 

6.8 

2.2 

13. 

6.9 

1. 

.6 

ALO3 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

trace 

N02 

2.3 

1.8 

.3 

.8 

1.4 

1.2 

NQ3 

2700. 

8. 

6. 

310. 

7. 

4. 

CI 

.0 

285. 

1087.8 

181.6 

.0 

63.7 

SO* 

9.8 

20.8 

15. 
.0 

10.5 

7.2 
.04 

14.8 

SiOa 
M'n 

1.8 

1. 

.1 

.0 

.0 

.8 

Bases 

(parts  per  million) 


(grains  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


KNOo 

3.8 

2.9 

.5 

1.3 

2.3 

2. 

KNO:! 

14.3 

4.8 

6.9 

54.2 

4. 

5.9 

KCl 

K2SOj 
NaJSTO;, 

4444.3 

9.4 

4.5 

469. 

8.4 

2. 

NaCl 

214.9 

337. 

268.  G 

41.6 

Na2SO* 

269.7 

"2.6 

'2.2' 

63.9 

138.3 

NaoCO., 

NH4N03 

NH^Cl 

(NH4)2S04 

f.6 

5.3 

4.9 

(NH4)2C03 
Mg(NOa), 
MgCl2 

172.9 

560.1 

48.2 

MgSOt 

58.2 

34.6 

'583.9* 

2.4 

47.4 

87.6 

MgC03 

CaCl, 

CaS04 

89.1 

137.7 

61.4 

178.9 

61.7 

219.7 

CaCOa 

4.2 

.2 

.4 

.6 

11.9 

.8 

FeCOs 

6.8 

2.2 

13. 

6.9 

1. 

.6 

Al2Oa 

9.8 

20.8 

15. 

'  i'o'i' 

7.2 
.1 

14.8 

SiOa 
MnC03 

1.8 

1. 

.1 

.5 

.8 

Bases 

4903.6 

604. 

1585. 

1061.6 

277.7 

424. 

Total 

KN03 

.22 

.17 

.03 

.07 

.13 

.11 

KNOa 

•  .83 

.28 

.40 

3.15 

.23 

.34 

KCl 

K2SOj 

NaN03 

259.24 

.55 

.26 

1  27.35 

.49 

.11 

NaCl 

12.53 

19.66 

15.66 

2.42 

Na2S04 

15.73 

.16 

'  ".is 

3.72 

8.07 

NaoCOs 
NHtNOa 
NH4CI 
(NH,)oS04 

.09 

.30 

.29 

(NHOoCO, 

Mg(NO;,)2 

MgCl, 

10.09 

32.67 

2.81 

MgS04 

3.39 

2.02 

'  *34.06 

.13 

2.76 

5.10 

MgC03 

CaCl.> 

CaSO"4 

5.20 

8.02 

3.58 

10.43 

3.60 

12.81 

CaC03 

.24 

.01 

.02 

.03 

.11 

.05 

FeC03 

.40 

.13 

.76 

.40 

.06 

.03 

Alo03 

.57 

1.21 

.87 

.61 

.42 
.01 

.86 

SiOo 
MnC03 

.10 

.06 

.03 

.05 

Bases 

286.01 

35.23 

92.44 

61.85 

16.20 

24.69 

Total 

242 


ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  I. — Mineral  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth    of   well feet 

Depth    of    casing feet 

Rate    of    pumping,  .gals,    per    min. 
Date  sample  was  collected 


La  Salle 
La  Salle 
(111.  R.  bot- 
tom land,  2 
wells) 
City 


38  &39V2 

38  &  39% 

H500 

July  30,  '12 


La  Salle 
La  Salle 


111.  Zinc  Co. 
well  No.  4 


1,400 


July  29,  '12 


La  Salle 

Leland 

(Waterworks) 


Village 


230 
100 
225 
Aug.  11,  '14 


La  Salle 

Marseilles 

(Waterworks, 

2  wells) 

Consumers 

Water  & 

Light  Co. 

800  &  600 
100 
"100 
July  3,  '15 


Determinations  made 


Potassium 

Sodium 

Ammonium , 

Magnesium 

Calcium 

Iron 

Alumina 

Nitrites 

Nitrates 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Silica 

Hydrogen  sulphide 

Manganese 

Bases 


3. 

53.6 
.5 

40.3 

82.9 

.1 

1.1 

.0 

.7 

97. 


h 

Typothetical  combinations 

■9/3" 

9.3 

'  '20.9' 
39.8 

'l.5' 

'192.8* 

'  "2.8" 

295.6 

.2 

5.6 

10. 

12.8 

'l.5' 
68.4 

1035.5' 
118.5 
121. 

'  '75.2' 

'136.5' 

.6 
2.4 
10. 
6.8 

'2.3' 
5.1 

"'2.6' 

2.4 

20.9 

'  "i.s 

'118.7' 

'145.2' 
9.8 
3.3 

15.1 
.6 

1.1 

5. 

Potassium  chloride 

Potassium  sulphate 

Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

"136."  ' 

Ammonium  nitrate 

Ammonium  chloride 

Ammonium  sulphate 

'i.5' 

Ammonium  carbonate 

Magnesium  nitrate 

'  16.4' 

110.3 

75.8 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Calcium  sulphate 

'206.9' 

.2 

1.1 

.4 

.6 

Bases 

Total 

600.6 

1570.4 

327.8 

555.3 

Hypothetical  combinations 

'.54' 

.54 

'  'i.2l' 
2.32 

'  '.'09' 

"1I.2V 

'.16" 
17.23 
.01 
.33 
.58 
.75 

",'.69' 

3.98 

'6'6.39' 

6.91 
7.06 

'  '4.38' 

'  "7.61" 
.03 
.14 
.58 
.39 

'.13' 
.30 

".ib" 

.14 
1.22 

\ii' 

'  '6.92" 

'  "8.47 

.57 

.19 

.88 
.04 

.06 
.29 

Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

'  '7.93* 

.09 

96 

Magnesium   sulphate 

6  43 

4.42 

( Ja  Icium  sulphate 

( !alcium  carbonate 

"12.07" 

01 

06 

02 

03 

Total 

35.00 

91.56 

1!».12 

32.37 

'»  ( Jombined. 


waters 


MINERAL    ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 

northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


243 


La  Salle 

La  Salle 

La  Salle 

La  Salle 

La  Salle 

La  Salle 

Mendota 

Ottawa 

Peru 

Peru 

Ransom 

Streator 

(Waterworks) 

(Sanicula 
Mineral 
Spring) 

City 

B.P.  Mit- 

Western 

Village 

Western 

Chem- 

schelm 

Clock  Co. 
well  No.  3 

Glass  Co. 

ical 
formula 

490 

Spring 

1,505 

1,263 

274 

640 

260 

8 

200 

Flows,  5 

Flows 

60 

Aug.  3,  '15 

Aug.  2, '15 

Dec.  22.  '13 

July  29,  '12 

Mar.  24,  '13 

Oct.  31,  '11 

(parts  per  million) 


1.8 

39.5 

18.4 

30.4 

15.6 

26.3 

K 

30.1 

732.8 

545.7 

192.6 

123.4 

192.8 

Na 

3.3 

1.8 

1.4 

1.3 

A 

.9 

NHi 

25.1 

105. 

23.9 

10.5 

16.3 

11.9 

Mg 

70.7 

319. 

50.6 

51.5 

31.4 

48.9 

Ca 

3.2 

.1 

4. 

.6 

.3 

.2 

Fe 

5. 

2. 

.3 

1.6 

5. 

44. 

A1£03 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

N02 

1.8 

1.8 

.4 

5. 

2.1 

5.8 

NOa 

1. 

1700. 

750. 

150. 

26. 

210. 

CI 

2.8 

196.6 

74.9 

110.2 

9. 

61.6 

S04 

24.5 

12. 

'd 

12. 

12.8 

19.2 

9.6 

14.5 

SiOa 
H2S 
M'n 

.6 

3. 

1.6 

.6 



Bases 

(parts  per  million) 


KN02 

2.9 

2.9 

.7 

.8 

3.4 

9.5 

KN03 

1.3 

73.2 

34.5 

57.4 

27.1 

43.1  . 

KCl 

K2S04 

NaNOa 

.7 

1859.8 

1210.5 

202.5 

21.7 

312.7 

NaCl 

4.1 

109.5 

163.1 

13.3 

91.2 

Na2S04 

65.6 

'5.3' 

78.5 

137.8 

254.7 

92.1 

Na2C03 

NH4NO3 

NH4CI 

(NH4)2S< 

8.8 

""410.6" 

3.7 

3.5 

1. 

4.7 

(NH4)oC( 
Mg(N03 
MgCl2 
MgS04 

86.9 

'358.9* 
283. 

83. 

36.4 

56.5 

41.2 

MgCOa 

CaOl, 

CaS04 

176.5 

265.8 

126.3 

128.5 

78.3 

122.1 

CaC03 

6.6 

.2 

8.3 

1.2 

.6 

.4 

FeC03 

5. 

2. 

.3 

1.6 

5. 

44. 

Alo03 

24.5 

12. 

12. 

12.8 

19.2 

9.6 

Si02 

.6 

3. 

1.6 

.6 

Bases 

383.5 

3276.9 

1668.9 

746.2 

480.8 

770.6 

Total 

(grains  per 

U.  S.  gallon 

; 

KNOa 

.17 

.17 

.04 

.05 

.9 

.55 

KNO3 

.08 

4.27 

2.01 

3.34 

1.57 

2.51 

KCl 

K2S04 
NaNOa 

.04 

108.48 

70.61 

11.81 

1.26 

18.24 

NaCl 

.24 

6.38 

9.51 

.77 

5.32 

Na2S04 

3.83 

'.31' 

4.58 

8.04 

14.85 

5.38 

Na2COs 
NH4N03 
NH4CI 
(NH4)2S04 

.51 

'23.9.5' 

.22 

.20 

.05 

.27 

(NH4)2C03 

Ms-fN03)o 

MgCl2 

MgS04 

5.07 

'20.93' 
16.51 

4.84 

2.12 

3.28 

2.40 

MgCOs 

Can., 

CaSO* 

10.30 

15.50 

7.37 

7.49 

4.55 

7.13 

OaCOs 

.38 

.01 

.48 

.07 

.03 

.02 

FeCOs 

.29 

.12 

.02 

.09 

.29 

2.57 

Al2Oa 

1.43 

.70 

.70 

.75 

1.12 

.56 

SiOa 

.03 

.17 

.09 

.03 

Bases 

22.37 

191.12 

97.34 

43.50' 

27.96 

44.95 

Total 

244 


ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

Table  I. — Mineral  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth    of   well feet 

Depth    of    casing feet 

Rate    of    pumping,  .gals,    per    min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


La  Salle 
Streator 

La  Salle 
Streator 

La  Salle 
Streator 

La  Salle 
Streator 

"Vulcan  De- 
tinning  Co. 

(Brick  Plant) 

Streator 

Paving 

Brick  Co. 

(near  city 
Park) 

City 

(water  from 

Vermilion 

River) 

City 

563 

200 

60 

660 

2,496 
Flows 

(Average  of 
12  monthly 
analyses) 

Oct.  31,  '11 

Oct.  31,  '11 

Oct.  31,  '11 

Determinations  made  (parts 


49. 
312.2 
1.1 
8.8 
61.8 
.3 
trace 
.0 
.9 
410. 
21.7 
12.8 
15  (est.) 

.b" 

49.7 
300.7 
1.5 
23.9 
56. 
trace 
trace 
.0 
.5 
410. 
62.1 
10. 
15. 

.b" 

346.8 
3  732. 
5. 
143.3 
693.3 
6.3 
10. 
.0 
.2 
7100. 
403.2 
12. 

.0* 

(18. 

29. 

55. 

.2 

.0 

.0 

12. 

6.9 

Sulphate 

Silica          

68. 

14. 

.0 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Potassium  nitrite 

Potassium  nitrate.  .  .  . 
Potassium  chloride... 
Potassium  sulphate.  .  . 

Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Ammonium  nitrate.  .  . 
Ammonium  chloride.. 
Ammonium  sulphate.. 
Ammonium  carbonate. 
Magnesium  nitrate.  .  . 
Magnesium  chloride .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate.  . 
Magnesium  carbonate . 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate.  .  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Alumina 

Silica 

Bases 

Total 

Potassium  nitrite 

Potassium  nitrate.  .  .  . 
Potassium  chloride... 
Potassium  sulphate.  .  . 

Sodium   nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Ammonium  nitrate.  .  . 
Ammonium  chloride.  . 
Ammonium  sulphate.  , 
Ammonium  carbonate. 
Magnesium  nitrate... 
Magnesium  chloride.. 
Magnesium  sulphate.  . 
Magnesium   carbonate 

Calcium   chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium   carbonate.  .  .  , 

i  ion  carbonate 

a  i  amine 

Silica 

Bases 

Total 


1,5 

92.2 


604.3 
32.1 

146.4 


2.9 


23.6 


154.3 

.6 

trace 

12.8 


1070.7 


94.1 


602.8 
91.9 
76.9 


82.8 


139.8 

trace 

trace 

10. 


1099.1 


.3 

470.1 


9471.7 


14.8 


560.4 


1268.1 
571.5 
167. 

13. 

10. 

12. 


16.4 
11.5 
23.1 


67.7 
53. 


12558.9 


137. 


14. 


323.4 


Hypothetical  combinations 


.09 

5.38 


15.25 
1.88 
8.54 


.17 


1.37 


9.00 
.03 
trace 

.75 


62.46 


.05 
5.49 


35.16 
5.36 

4.48 


4.83 


8.16 
trace 
trace 


64.11 


.02 
27.43 


552.48 


.86 


32.68 


73.97 

33.34 

9.74 

.76 

.58 

.70 


',2.56 


.95 

.67 

1.35 


3.94 
3.09 


1.00 
.02 


.SI 


18.83 


MINERAL    ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 


245 


waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


La  Salle 
Utica 

(northwest 
part  of  vil- 
lage) 
Village 


225—350 
140 
Flows,  125 

Aug.  1,  '12 


La  Salle 
Utica 

(near  vil- 
lage hall) 

Village 


225—350 
140 
Flows,  125 

Dec.  16,  '13 


La  Salle 
Utica 

(on  Clark 
St.  S.  of 
canal) 
Village 


225 — 350 
140 
Flows,  125 

Dec.  16,  '13 


La  Salle 
Wedron 

(1  mile  S. 
of  village) 

Sulphur 

Lick 
Springs 

Hotel 
Spring 


Flows, 

1,050 

July  30,  '15 


McHenry 
Algonquin 

(i/2mi. 
NE.  of 
town) 
Village 


Spring 
Flows,' 500 
June  1,  '15 


McHenry 
Crystal 

Lake 
(Water- 
works) 

Village 


(Dug)  32 

'  215  ' 
Oct.  31,  '13 


Chem- 
ical 
formula 


per  million) 


(parts  per  million) 


4.5 

6.9 

4.9 

3.8 

2.5 

2.8 

K 

12.3 

28.4 

14.9 

19.5 

5.2 

18.8 

Na 

.7 

.9 

.7 

.7 

.0 

.0 

NH4 

34.1 

33. 

29. 

37.1 

31.7 

35.6 

Mg 

81. 

86.2 

85. 

72.3 

65. 

90.2 

Ca 

1.3 

.5 

.7 

.05 

.07 

.06 

Fe 

1.1 

.5 

.2 

1.2 

1.4 

.4 

A1203 

trace 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.3 

N02 

1.1 

.7 

2.4 

3.5 

14.1 

5.7 

NOs 

3.4 

55. 

21. 

12. 

3. 

9. 

CI 

5.4 

6.8 

4.4 

23.8 

44.8 

52. 

SO* 

11. 

10.5 

12. 

■     9.2 
.6' 

10.9 
'  '  '.0* 

13.6 

SiOj 
HoS 
Mn 

.2 

.0 

1.2 

.5 

3.3 

.6 

Bases 

.5 

KN02 

1.8 

1.1 

3.9 

5.7 

6.5 

6.7 

KNO3 

7.2 

12.4 

6.5 

3. 

'  '13.8 ' 

'2.5' 

KCl 

K2S04 
NaNOa 

31.2 

72. 

28.8 

17.5 

3.8 

14.8 

NaCl 

6.5 

35.2 

37.9 

Na2SOt 

4.3 

2.8 

Na2C03 

NH4NO3 

2.1 

2.6 

'  'l.9* 

Y.9* 

NH4CI 

(NH4)2S04 

(NH4)2C03 

Mg(N03)2 

13.8 

5.1 

.9 

MgCl2 

6.8 

8.5 

56.2 

33. 

MgSO* 

101.1 

103.9 

100.4 

128.5 

69.6 

100.4 

MgCO's 
CaCl2 

CaS04 

202.2 

215.1 

212.2 

180.4 

162.3 

225. 

CaC03 

3.2 

1. 

1.4 

.1 

.1 

.1 

FeCOa 

1.1 

.5 

.2 

1.2 

1.4 

.4 

ALO3 

11. 

10.3 

12. 

9.2 

10.9 

13.6 

SiOa 

.2 

.0 

1.2 

.5 

3.3 

.2 

Bases 

381.7 

432.5 

379.3 

386. 

328.8 

435.1 

Total 

(grains  per 

U.  S.  gallon 

) 

.03 

KN02 

.10 

.06 

.22 

.33 

.38 

.39 

KNOa 

.42 

.72 

.38 

.17 

*  '  "  '.80 

.15 

KCl 
KoSO, 

NaN03 

1.82 

4.20 

1.68 

1.02 

.22 

.S6 

NaCl 

.38 

2.05 

2.21 

Na2S04 

.25 

.16 

Na2C03 
NH4NOa 

.12 

.15 

'  Vii 

' '  *  '.ii 

NH4CI 
(NtLhSO* 
(NH4)2C03 
Mg(N03)2 

.80 

.30 

.05 

MgCL 

.40 

.50 

3.27 

1.92 

MgS04 

5.89 

6.06 

5.85 

7.49 

4.06 

5.85 

MgCOs 

CaCl. 

CaS04 

11.79 

12.55 

12.37 

10.52 

9.46 

13.12 

CaC03 

.19 

.06 

.08 

.01 

.01 

.01 

FeCOs 

.06 

.03 

.01 

.07 

.08 

.02 

Al.O,, 

.64 

.60 

.70 

.54 

.63 

.79 

SiOo 

.01 

.00 

.07 

.03 

.19 

.01 

Bases 

22.24 

25.23 

22.10 

22.50 

19.15 

25.33 

Total 

246 


ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  I. — Mineral  analyses  of  underground 


County. 
Town.  . 


Owner 

Depth  of  well feet 

Depth    of   casing feet 

Rate   of   pumping.  .  .gals,    per   min. 
Date    sample    was    collected 


M'cHenry 
Marengo 

(Waterworks) 


Village 
(Dug)  14 

20b" 

Oct.  28,  '13 


M'cHenry 
North  Crys- 
tal Lake 
(Waterworks) 


"Village 

285 
260 
200 
Oct.  31,  '13 


M'cHenry 

Woodstock 

(Pumping 

station  No. 
2,  2  wells) 

City 

(both)  85 

c67 

1350 

Mar.  23,  '14 


Will 
Braidwood 

(Waterworks) 


Village 
(Dug)    20 


100 
June  22,  '14 


Determinations  made 


Potassium. 
Sodium.  .  .  . 
Ammonium 
Magnesium 
Calcium .  .  . 

Iron 

Alumina. .  . 
Nitrites .  .  . 
Nitrates .  .  . 
Chlorine.  .  . 
Sulphate. .  . 

Silica 

Manganese 
Bases 


8.2 

14.6 

.2 

26.7 

93.2 

.3 

1.6 

.0 

229 

6. 

179.2 

10. 


Hypothetical 

combinations 

Potassium  nitrite 

.  .  „  .  . 

'  '23.2* 

'  ' .3 

"2.9"" 

20.1 
66.8 

60.2 

'210.3' 

.2 
1.2 
13.5 
1. 

.5' 

6.3 

'  ''19.8* 

13.2 
28.3 

'i.6* 

'113.4' 
'130.5' 

.7 

2.5 

17.8 

.0 

'3.6' 
2.5 

'i.2' 

9.8 
20.3 

'l';6* 

'145.1* 

"£96.7" 

5.4 

.5 

26.2 

1.3 

Potassium  nitrate 

21.2 

Potassium  chloride 

Potassium  sulphate 

Sodium  nitrate , 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate , 

Sodium  carbonate 

13.6 

9.9 

23.1 

Ammonium  chloride 

Ammonium  sulphate 

Ammonium  carbonate 

'  ' '  '.7 

Magnesium  nitrate 

Magnesium  chloride 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium  carbonate 

'l32.'  ' 

Calcium  chloride 

81.9 

Calcium  carbonate 

172.5 

Iron  carbonate 

.6 

1.6 

Silica 

Bases 

10. 
1. 

Total 

406.7 

334.6 

408.2 

468.1 

Hypothetical 

combinations 

Potassium  nitrite 

'  '  '  '.40 
'l.35 

"  '.02 

.17 
1.17 
3.89 
3.51 

'    12.26 
.01 
.07 
.79 
.06 

.03 

.37 

•    '"1.15 

.77 

1.65 
"  '.09 

'6.61 

'7.61 
.04 
.15 
.04 

.0 

1.21 

.15 

.07 

.57 
.18 

.09 

'8.46 

'  'll'.12 

.31 

.03 

1.53 

.08 

Potassium  nitrate 

1.24 

Potassium  chloride 

Potassium  sulphate 

Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

.04 

'  '.79 

.58 
1.35 

Sodium  carbonate 

Ammonium  nitrate 

Ammonium   chloride 

Ammonium   sulphate 

Ammonium  carbonate 

Magnesium  nitrate 

Magnesium  chloride 

Magnesium   sulphate 

'  '7.70 

Magnesium   carbonate 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium   sulphate 

Calcium   carbonate 

4.78 
10.06 

Iron  carbonate 

.03 

Alumina 

.09 

Si]  lea . . . 

.58 

Buses 

.06 

Total 

23.70 

19.51 

23.80 

27.30 

*-  Plus   IS  feet  of  screen. 


<J  Combined. 


0  Plus  10  feet  of  screen. 


MINERAL    ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — -Continued 


247 


Will 

Crete 

Will 
Joliet 

Will 
Joliet 

Will 

Joliet 

Will 
Lockport 

Will 
Mokena 

(Waterworks) 

(Desplaines 
St.  Station) 

(City  High 
School) 

(Canal  St. 
well) 

(Water- 
works) 

(Water- 
works) 

Chem- 
ical 
formula 

Village 
192 
150 
90 
June  29,  '15 

City 

1,575 
300 
450 
Sept.  27,  '15 

City 

881 

500 

25 

Sept.  27,  '15 

'  1,565' 
May  15*,  '13 

City 

1,650 

51 

160 

July  2,  '15 

City 

139 

e129 

60 

July  1,  '15 

(parts  per  million ) 


4.2 

23.9 

20.6 

11.2 

21. 

3.4 

K 

10.1 

104. 

106.8 

83. 

190. 

11.7 

Na 

.4 

.9 

.D 

2. 

.5 

.5 

NHt 

35.1 

18.5 

20.7 

9.9 

48.4 

43.4 

Mg 

102.6 

51.5 

50. 

68.8 

144.7 

144.4 

Ca 

.9 

.4 

.2 

.1 

.6 

Fe 

1.3 

9. 

2.8 

2.3 

3.3 

AI0O3 

M 

.0 

.0 

.04 

.0 

NOa 

7 

.0 

.4 

2.2 

10.6 

.  < 

NO;, 

2. 

47. 

59. 

36. 

410. 

1. 

CI 

21.6 

113.6 

116.9 

88.9 

188.4 

148. 

SO* 

11.6 

21.4 

.0 

10. 

.0 

14. 

16. 

SiQ2 
Mn 

.8 

2. 

1.2 

Bases 

(parts  per  million) 


.1 

KN02 

1.1 

.6 

3.5 

17.3 

1. 

KNO:t 

4.2 

45.5 

38.9 

18.8 

27.2 

1.7 

KC1 

3.6 





5.3 

K2SO, 
NaNOa 

42.2 

65.2 

44.6 

482.2 

NaCl 

29. 

168. 

173. 

131.4 

36.1 

Na2SCH 

1.6 

75.5 

58. 

53.2 

'  "li' 



"Y.8- 

NaoCO.-, 
NHtNO, 
NH4CI 
(NH,),SOi 

1.1 

2.4 

2.4 

5.3 

'l39.6' 
62.8 





...... 

(NH+),C03 
Mg(N03)2 
MgCl.. 

MgSO, 

121.6 

64.1 

71.7 

34.3 

Y  9  6 . 

41.9 

MgCO.{ 

CaCl2 

CaSO, 

256.1 

128.5 

124.8 

171.7 

217.2 

360.5 

CaCO., 

1.9 

.8 

.4 

.2 

1.2 

FeCO.{ 

1.3 

9. 

2.8 

25.4 

2.3 

3.3 

.AlnO" 

11.6 

21.4 

10. 

9. 

14. 

16. 

SiO, 

.8 

2. 

1.2 

Bases 

433.9 

557.4 

547.8 

4.97.2 

1162.4 

619.7 

Total 

(grams  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.01 

KNOj 

.06 

.03 

.20 

1.01 

.06 

KNOa 

.24 

2.65 

2.27 

1.09 

1.59 

.10 

KC1 

.21 

.31 

K2SO» 

NaNOs 

2.46 

3.80 

2.59 

28.13 

NaCl 

1.69 

9.80 

10.09 

7.66 

2.11 

Na2SOt 

.09 

4.40 

3.38 

3.10 

.09 

.16 

Na2COa 
NHiN(J3 
NH4CI 
(NHi)oSO* 

.06 

.14 

.14 

.30 

' '  8*.i4 

3.66 

'S.73 

(NHJoCOs 

MgCL. 
MgSOt 

7.09 

3.73 

4.18 

1.99 

'  11.43 

2.44 

MgCOa 

CaClo 

CaSOj 

14.94 

7.49 

7.28 

10.01 

12.67 

21.03 

CaCO, 

.11 

.05 

.02 

.01 

.07 

FeC03 

.08 

.52 

.16 

1.47 

.13 

.19 

Al2Os 

.68 

1.25 

.58 

.52 

.82 

.93 

SiOo 

.05 

.12 

.07 

Bases 

25.30 

32.49 

31.93 

28.93 

67.81 

36.14 

Total 

248 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

Table  I. — Mineral  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth  of  well feet 

Depth   of  casing feet 

Rate  of  pumping.  ..  .gals,   per  min. 
Date    sample    was    collected 


Will 

Will 

Will 

Will 

Monee 

Monee 

Peotone 

Plainfleld 

(Waterworks, 

(Waterworks) 

(Waterworks) 

well  No.  1) 

well  No.  2) 

Village 

Village 

Village 

Village 

166 

169 

135 

104 

90 

90 

135 

35 

165 

150 

June  29,  '15 

June  29   '15 

April  9,  '06 

Potassium. 
Sodium.  .  .  . 
Ammonium . 
Magnesium. 
Calcium 

Iron 

Alumina.  .  . 
Nitrites.  .  .  . 
Nitrates 
Chlorine.  .  .  , 
Sulphate.  .  . 

Silica 

Manganese . 
Bases 


Determinations  made 


5.7 

15.9 

1.3 

49.4 

204.4 

8. 

1. 

.03 

.4 

3. 

370.1- 

14. 

1.2 


5. 

34.5 

.7 

33.8 

85.1 

1,6 

6.8 


.9 

4. 

16.21 

16.1 

1.9 


123.4 

'    64  2* 
79.1 
(f) 
(f) 

'  '61.9' 

204. 
136. 
19.4 


Hypothetical  combinations 


.1 

•  .7 
6.3 
4.7 

'  '49.'  ' 
' '4.8* 

'244.2' 

"l92.9' 

367.4 
16  6 

1. 
14. 
1.2 

.1 
1.8 

6.3 
3.1 

'  '94.'l' 
"2.6* 

'186.3* 

145.8 

'274  8* 
2.5 

'  "2,5' 

20.6 

1.2 

'  'i.b' 
8.3 

'i(J6.4' 

'  "2.6' 

'iid.  7' 
39.5 

'212.4' 
33 

"6,8' 
16.1 

1.9 

Potassium  nitrate 

Potassium  -chloride 

Potassium  sulphate 

Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

Ammonium  nitrate 

Ammonium   chloride 

Ammonium   sulphate 

Ammonium  carbonate ... 

Magnesium  nitrate 

Magnesium   chloride 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

'  '84.9' 
254.8 

'  '66.(5' 
171. 

42.2 

'198.'  ' 
\  1  0 

}13. 

19  4 

Bases 

4.8 

Total 

902.9 

741.7 

509.5 

854  7 

r  Ferric,    oxide    and    alumina. 


Potassium  nitrite 

.01 
.04 
.37 
.27 

'2.86 
'  '.28 

'  '14.24 

'  11.25 
21.4  3 

.97 

'  '.06 

.82 
.07 

.01 
.10 
.37 
.18 

'  '5.49 
'  '.15 

'   10.87 

8.45 

'   16.0*3 
.15 

'  '.15 
1.20 

.07 

.09 

.48 

'  '6.20 

.15 

'  '6.46 
2.30 

'  '12.39 

.19 

'  '.40 

.94 
.1  I 

Potassium  nitrate 

Potassium  chloride 

Potassium  sulphate 

Sodium   nitrate 

4.95 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

Ammonium  nitrate 

14.87 

Ammonium   chloride 

Ammonium   sulphate 

Ammonium  carbonate 

Magnesium   nitrate 

Magnesium   chloride 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium  carbonate 

3.88 
9.97 
2.46 

Calcium   chloride 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate. 

11.55 

1  ron  ca  rbonate 

1 ron  oxide 

"}'.« 

sn  lea 

L.  13 

.-2  8 

Bases 

Total 

52.67 

43.22 

29.71 

19  s.r) 

MINERAL    ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 


waters   in    northeastern   Illinois — Concluded 


249 


Will 

Rockdale 

(Waterworks) 

Villag-e 

662 
260 
160 
July  2,  '15 


Will 

Steger 

(Waterworks) 

Villag-e 

318 
147 
300 
April  1,  '14 


Winnebago 

Pecatonica 

(Waterworks) 

Village 

(Dug)  20 


130 
Oct.  18,  '13 


Winnebago 

Rockford 

(1602  S. 

Main  St.) 

Graham 

Bros. 

175 


Flows 


Chem- 
ical 

formula 


(parts  per  million) 


17.8 

7.2 

2. 

2.4 

K 

91.6 

18.4 

3.2 

4.4 

Na 

1.8 

.06 

.04 

.1 

NH4 

21.8 

39.5 

39.3 

36.9 

Mg 

58. 

86.6 

67.9 

89.9 

Ca 

.6 

1. 

.1 

.1 

Fe 

.9 

1.4 

.3 

.4 

A1203 

.05 

.0 

.1 

NOa 

.7 

2.3 

.5 

26.2 

N03 

47. 

2. 

4. 

11. 

CI 

117.6 

47.2 

38.5 

22.8 

SO* 

7.8 

11.6 

24. 

.0 

16.5 

SiOa 

Mn 

.6 

1. 

.8 

1.5 

Bases 

(parts  per  million) 


.1 

.2 

KN02 

1.1 

3.8 

.8 

5.9 

KNOa 

33.2 

4.2 

7.6 

3.2 

"  Yo'.i' 

KCl 
K2S04 

NaNO» 

51.5 

4.1 

NaCl 

174. 

56.7 

4.9 

Na2S04 

34.3 

.i' 

""a 

'  lV.8* 
14.8 

...... 

Na2C03 

NH4NO3 

NH4CI 

(NH4)2S04 
(NH4)2C03 
Mg(N03)2 
MgCl2 

5.9 

44.2 

28.6 

MgSC-4 

75.5 

132.6 

105. 

83.4 

MgCOs 

i 

CaCl2 

CaS04 

144.8 

216.2 

169.5 

224.4 

CaCC-3 

1.2 

2. 

.2 

.2 

FeCOs 

FeoOg 

.9 

1.4 

.3 

.4 



AI0O3 

7.8 

11.6 

24. 

16.5 



SiOa 

.6 

1. 

.8 

1.4 



Bases 

525. 

443. 

357.1 

406.1 

Total 

(grains  per 

U.  S.  gallon) 

.01 

.01 

KNOa 

.06 

.22 

.05 

.34 

KNO3 

1.94 

.24 
.44 

.19 

.59 

KCl 

KoSO; 

NaN03 

3.00 

.24 

NaCl 

10.15 

3.31 

.29 

Na2S04 

2.00 

.01 

'  '  '.02 

"  "1.15 

.86 

NaoCOs 

NHtNO, 

NHtCl 

(NH.,)..SO, 

(NH4),'COa 

Mg(NO.,)-. 

MgClo 

.34 

2.59 

1.67 

MgSOi 

4.40 

7.73 

6.12 

4.86 

MgC03 

CaCl2 

CaS04 

8.45 

12.61 

9.88 

13.08 

CaC03 

.07 

.12 

.01 

.01 

FeC03 
FeoO;! 

.05 

.08 

.02 

.02 

AI0O3 

.45 

.68 

.40 

.96 

Si02 

.03 

.06 

.05 

.08 

--— ' 

Bases 

30.61 

25.83 

20.85 

23.65 

Total 

250 


ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing- . feet 

Rate   of  pumping- gals,   per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Boone 

Belvidere 

(Round  House) 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R. 


1231 
To  bed  rock 

150 
Sept.  29,  1914 


Cook 
Argo 


Corn  Products 

Refining  Co. 

Well  No.  1 

1638 

45 

200 

July  14,  li 


14 


Cook 
Argo 


Corn  Products 

Refining  Co. 

Well  No.  2 

1507 

79 

375 

July  14,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

136. 
.2 

'.4 
1.7 
4. 
28.4 
284. 
254. 
14. 

236. 
.2 
.08 
.35 
57. 

276.5 

800. 

286. 
-  192. 
.28 

240. 

2 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

o 

Nitrate 

o 

Chlorine '.', 

120. 

296  7 

Sulphate 

Residue 

896 

Alkalinity    (as    CaCOs) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 

Hydrogen  sulphide 

270. 
196. 
16 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

2.3 
6.6 

22.2 

'  16.'8  ' 
102.5 

132.' 

.4 
1.2 

.5 

94.1 

137.5 

236*4  ' 
37. 

242.' 
.4 
58.1 

198."  ' 
161.5 

23  5.'2  ' 
37. 

226.' 

.4 
37.9 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 

284. 

800. 

896. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate , 

.13 

.38 
1.29 

'  '  .'98 
5.96 

7*7  0 
.02 
.07 

.03 

5.49 
8.02 

'  13. A  4 
2.16 

'  14*12 

.02 

3.39 

'  11*55 

9.42 

'  13*72 

2.16 

'  13*18 

.02 
2.21 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 

16.53 

46.67 

52.26 

BOILER    ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois 


251 


256. 

256. 

332. 

168. 

220. 

.7 

.2 

.1 

.1 

.1 

.08 

.0 

.0 

.0 

.4 

.35 

.0 

.0 

.0 

1.8 

83. 

82. 

120. 

110. 

1. 

316.4 

334.9 

503. 

195.9 

77.8 

829. 

892. 

1188. 

735. 

381. 

238. 

243. 

248. 

284. 

260. 

—232. 

228. 

348. 

36. 

60. 

.17 

.10 

.21 

(parts  per  million) 


.5 

2.5 

137. 

135.3 

198. 

181.5 

1.7 

163.2 

172.7 

251.7 

238.7 

30. 

258.'4  " 

273.V  " 

398.4  ' 

"•43.2  ' 

"  72.' '  " 

20.2 

23.5 

'21.'8  ' 

110.9 

117.6 

214. 

215. 

248. 

152. 

120. 

1.5 

.4 

.2 

.2 

.2 

34.2 

71.5 

69.9 

8.5 

37. 

829. 

892. 

1188. 

735. 

381. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.03 

.15 

7.99 

7.89 

11.55 

10.58 

.1 

9.52 

10.07 

14.68 

13.92 

1.75 

15.07 

15.96 

'23.24 

2.53 

4.2 

1.18 

1.37 

1.27 

6.47 

6.86 

12.48 

12.54 

14.47 

8.87 

7. 

.09 

.02 

.01 

.01 

.01 

1.99 

4.17 

4.07 

.50 

2.16 

48.35 

52.02 

69.29 

42.88 

22.23 

252 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate    of   pumping- gals,    per   min. 

Date  sample  was   collected. 


Cook 
Berwyn 
(City   water- 
works) 
City 


1650± 

36 
225 
Sept.  11,  1914 


Cook 
Blue  Island 
(City  water- 
works) 
City 
Well  No.  1 


1100± 
69± 
200 
June  22,  1914 


Cook 
Blue  Island 
(City  water- 
works) 
City 
Well  No.  3 


1649 
69 
300 
June  11,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaCOs) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


144. 

.   148. 

124. 

.4 

.4 

.0 

.72 

.08 

.28 

3.18 

.4 

1.20 

100. 

190. 

160. 

210.1 

463.3 

471.1 

727. 

1248. 

1164. 

252. 

224. 

222. 

130. 

328. 

176. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium   carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


4.4 

.5 

1.6 

165. 

313.5 

264. 

126.7 

220.8 

447.5 

156. 

177.6  ' 

148."8  ' 

11.8 

244.8 

70.7 

238. 

224. 

222. 

.8 

.8 

24.3 

66. 

9.4 

727. 

1248. 

1164. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.26 

9.62 
7.39 


9*10* 

.69 

*  13.'  88 

.05 

1.42 

42.41 


.03 

18.28 
12.88 

'  10.35 

'  i.i'27 

13.07 

.05 

3.85 

72.7; 


.09 
15.40 
26.09 

'  8.'  6  8 

'  4."l2 

12.95 

*  '  '56 


67.88 


BOILER    ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 

waters  in  northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


253 


Cook 

Blue  Island 

(Division  and 

127th  St.) 

Chicago  Copper 

Chemical  Co. 


1450 
48 
50 
June  20,  1914 


Cook 
Blue  Island 
(Gas  Plant) 

Public  Service 

Company  of 

Northern  Illinois 

2100± 
26 
50 
June  11,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 


Armour  Am- 
monia Works 


1600 
Oct.'  7,'  1915 


Cook 

Chicago 

(651  E.  39th  St.) 

Bissel  Laundry 


200± 
To  bed  rock 

25 
Aug.  29,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(915  Fulton  St.) 

Broman 
Building 


200 
To  bed  rock 

15 
Aug.  15,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


152. 

68. 

12. 

84. 

.4 

.1 

.& 

.6 

.2 

.80 

.32 

.00 

.0 

3.50 

1.40 

4.07 

.00 

.0 

142. 

570. 

12. 

15. 

10. 

355.9 

170.3 

28. 

14.8 

1060. 

1506. 

450. 

208. 

209. 

256. 

300. 

277. 

116. 

146. 

104. 

— 12. 

—14. 

5.87 

—26. 

.577 

(parts  per  million) 


4.8 

1.9 

6. 

233.3 

940.6 

20. 

24.8 

16.5 

379.4 

252. 

124. 

41.4 

21.9 

12.7 

14.8 

27.6 

124.8 

29. 

40.3 

57.1 

30. 

10.1 

70.6 

208.' 

220. 

241."  ' 

'90."  ' 

'  36.'  '  ' 

.8 

.2 

1. 

1.2 

.4 

68.6 

21.5 

25.7 

36. 

1060. 

1506. 

451. 

208. 

209. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.28 

.11 

.35 

13.66 

54.86 

1.17 

1.45 

.96 

22.12 

14.70 

7.35 

2.41 

1.28 

.74 

.86 

1.61 

7.28 

1.69 

2.35 

3.32 

1.75 

.59 

4.11 

"12.13' 

'ii.'sV 

'  ii'oV 

'  "5.25 

2.10 

.05 

.01 

.06 

.07 

.02 

3.99 

1.25 

1.50 

2.10 

61.86 

87.82 

26.31 

12.13 

12.18 

254 


ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County. 
Town.  . 


Owner. 


Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping .gals,    per   min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(313  N.Ann  St.) 


W.  H.  Bunge 
Vinegar  Works 

312 
92 
12 
Aug.  28,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(102nd  St.  & 

Slip  No.  2) 

Calumet 
Elevator  Co. 

363 
75 
20 
Aug.  7,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(105th  St.  & 

Ft.  Wayne 

R.  R.) 

Columbia 

Malting  Co. 

340 


Aug.  7,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


48. 

.2 

.00 

.00 

18. 

6.2 

287. 

209. 

-176. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

'  '  6.*6  ' 
17.6 

'  '  9.*6  * 

'  '5.'4  ' 
126. 

'ii.V 

'  42:9  ' 

iso.V ' 

'  47.'  "  ' 

'  'i.Y ' 

12.9 

29.7 

9.2 

186.3 

40.2 

.  .  .  „  . 

21.2 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 

183. 

255. 

287. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


BOILER    ANALYSES    OF    UNDERGROUND    WATERS 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


255 


Cook 

Chicago 

(435  W.  12th  St.) 

Cook 

Chicago 

(435  W.  12th  St.) 

Cook 

Chicago 

(Randolph  & 

Despiames  Sts.) 

Cook 

Chicago 

(Canal  &  15th  Sts.) 

Cook 
Chicago 
(21st  &  Ra- 
cine Sts. 

Crane  &  Co. 
Well  No.  L 

Crane  &  Co. 
Well  No.  2 

Crane  &  Co. 

Crane  &  Co. 

Dernier  &  Co. 

290 
107  + 
18 
Aug.  25,  1914 

250 
107 
18 
Aug.  25,  1914 

235 
To  bed  rock 

75 
Aug.  25,  1914 

415 
To  bed  rock 

18 
Aug.  25,  1914 

250 
To  bed  rock 
10 

(parts  per  million) 


40. 

48. 

40. 

32. 

76. 

.6 

.6 

32. 

.4 

.4 

.8 

1. 

2.4 

.64 

.56 

3.5 

4.42 

10.6 

2.80 

2.50 

27. 

12.00 

50. 

24. 

15. 

10.3 

25.5 

29.6 

16. 

126.7 

271. 

270. 

443. 

250. 

467. 

ISO. 

204. 

232. 

169. 

251. 

—62. 

—36. 

—132. 

—50. 

48.      • 

1.76 

.75 

1.92 

2.01 

3.18 

(parts  per  million) 


4.8 

6.1 

14.5 

3.8 

3.4 

44.6 

19.8 

82.5 

39.6 

24.8 

15.2 

37.7 

43.8 

23.7 

119.4 

65.7 

38.2 

139.9 

53. 

'  57.'6  ' 

33.6 

40.3 

33.6 

26.9 

23.5 

'78."  ' 

120."  ' 

'60."  ' 

'87."  ' 

223.' 

1.2 

1.2 

66.3 

.8 

.8 

27.9 

6.7 

2.4 

15.2 

14.5 

271. 

270. 

443. 

250. 

467. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.28 

.36 

.85 

.22 

.20 

2.60 

1.15 

4.81 

2.31 

1.45 

.89 

2.20 

2.55 

1.38 

6.96 

3.83 

2.23 

8.16 

3.09 

3  .'36 

1.96 

2.35 

1.96 

1.57 

1.37 

4.55' 

'    7.00 

'  '3.50' 

5.07 

'ii'o'i' 

.07 

.07 

3.87 

.05 

.05 

1.63 

.39 

.14 

.89 

.85 

15.81 

15.75 

25.84 

14.58 

27.25 

256 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping gals,    per   min. 

Date  sample  was   collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Oakwood  & 

DrexelBlvd.) 

Drexel  Arms 

Hotel 

185 
To  bed  rock 

8 
Aug.  28,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Cottage    Grove 

&  139th  Sts.) 

Drexel  Cafe 


450? 
To  bed  rock 

20 
Aug.  29,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(N.  Union  & 

Eagle  Ave. ) 

Durand  & 

Casper 

239 
103 
15 
Aug.  15,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


12. 

12. 

84. 

.1 

.4 

.0 

.16 

.00 

.00 

.71 

.00 

.00 

19. 

23. 

33. 

12.3 

8.6 

39.5 

155. 

180. 

316. 

101. 

113. 

180. 

-34. 

—50. 

—52. 

2.02 

1.53 

4.72 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate .... 
Calcium  carbonate .  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


1. 
31.4 
18.2 
36. 

10. 1 

55." 

.2 
3.1 


155. 


37.9 
12.7 
53. 

*  io.'i ' 

51. 

.8 
14.5 


180. 


54.5 
58.4 
55.1 

"  7*o'.6  * 

'  u'. '  ' 

'  33!4  ' 

316. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.06 
1.83 
1.06 
2.10 

"  "  '  .'59 

3*2-1 

.01 
.18 

2.21 

.74 

3.09 

'  '  '  .'59 

2*97 
.05 
.85 

3!l7 

Sodium  sulphate 

3.41 
3.21 

Magnesium  sulphate 

4.1*1 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

2.56 
i.'95 

Total 

9.04 

10.50 

18.41 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois-. — Continued 


257 


Cook 

Chicago 

(1300  Carroll  Ave.) 

B.  A.  Eckhart 
Milling- Co. 

156 

101 

30 

Aug.  28,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 
(Franklin  &  Su- 
perior Sts.) 
Farley  Candy  Co. 


336 
131 

5-0  ± 
Aug.  27,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Adams  &  Market 

Sts.) 
J.  V.  Farwell  Co. 


200 
105 


Aug.  28,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Stony  Island 

k  S.  Chicago  Ave.) 

Grand  Crossing 

Tack  Co. 

302 
79 
25 
July  3,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 
(Willow  & 
Larrabee  Sts.) 
Hetzel  Pack- 
ing Co. 

160 
To  bed  rock 

18 
Aug.  6,  1914 


''parts  per  million) 


44. 

28. 

.0 

.0 

.00 

.00 

.00 

.00 

5. 

33. 

31.3 

Trace 

179. 

221. 

128. 

154. 

6. 

—72. 

.339 

'     1.44 

44. 
2.6 


26. 
21.4 

228. 
137. 
-34. 
.95 


72. 

116. 

.0 

.4 

.56 

.00 

2.5 

.00 

30. 

28. 

0. 

18.1 

208. 

296. 

139. 

201. 

-58. 

—78 

.87 

.595 

(parts  per  million) 


(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.20 

.48 

3.18 

2.50 

2.89 

2.69 

2.20 

1.84 

1.56 

4.45 

2.10 

3.59 

4.82 

.42 

1.86 

1.37 

2.16 

3.53 

5.67 

5  .'25 

'  '3.15 

'  '3. '44 
.31 

'  '  .52* 

'  '  .41 

.05 

.23 

.74 

.94 

1.41 

2.05 

10.44 

12.89 

13.29 

12.14 

17.25 

258 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OE   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping- gals,    per  min 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(1617  21st 

Place) 

Hoerbers 
Brewery 
350± 
To  bed  rock 

36 
Aug.  25,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(100th  St.  & 

Calumet 

River) 

Lehigh    Valley 

Coal  Sales  Co. 

365 

67 

15 

Aug.  7,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(DaSalle  & 

25th  Sts.) 

Miller  &  Hart 

300 
60 
12 
Aug.  27,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate , 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


184. 
.2 
.00 
.00 
11. 

240. 

601. 

244. 

178. 
1.96 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate .... 
Calcium  carbonate .  . . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


4.8 

24.8 

142.3 

340.*8 

'  49."  * 

212. 
.8 
65.5 


840. 


49.5 
182*3 

'  ib.'i 

'  '  '  *8* 
29.3 


272. 


18.2 
102.8 


213.6 
5. 


23! 


23. 


601. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.28 
1.45 
8.30 

*  19*88* 

2*86 

12.37 

.05 

3.82 

2*88 
'  10*63 
'  ' '  *59 

'  '  '  .*0*5 
1.71 

49.01 

15.86 

1.06 
5.99 

12*4*5 
.29 

13.*88 

.02 

1.34 


',5.03 


zvaters   m 


BOILER  ANALYSES 

wrtheastern  Illinois — Continued 


259 


Cook 

Chicago 

(210  N.  Halsted 

St.) 

Morse  Chocolate 
Co. 
350± 
To  bed  rock 

25± 
Aug.  15,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(2608  Arthington 

St.) 

Murray  &  Nickels 

286 
To  bed  rock 

30 
Aug.  28,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 
(113  N.  Carpen- 
ter St.) 

National  Biscuit 
.   Co. 

300 
94 
10 
Aug.  28,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 
(98th  St.  &  Calu- 
met River) 

Norris  &  Co. 

346 
85 
30 
Aug.  18,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(104th  St.  & 

Calumet   River) 

Rialto  Ele- 
vator Co. 
401 
45 
15 
Aug.  7,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


84. 

44. 

32. 

32. 

52. 

.2 

.1 

.0 

.2 

.3 

.08 

.00 

.00 

.00 

1.12 

.35 

.00 

.00 

.00 

4.96 

19. 

31. 

16. 

30. 

30. 

17.7 

52.3 

34.1 

13. 

0. 

255. 

290. 

228. 

296. 

257. 

180. 

154. 

140. 

199. 

162. 

—52. 

—16. 

—42. 

—170. 

— 146. 

.55 

.58 

1.53 

.55 

.24 

(parts  per  million) 


.5 
31.4 
26.2 
55.1 

51.2 

77.4 
17. 

26.4 
50.5 
44.5 

49.5 

19.2 

180.2 

6.8 
49.5 

i54.'8  *' 

'  70.6'  ' 

'37."*  ' 

'26.9'  ' 

'26.9'  ' 

'  43.7  ' 

*44."  ' 

.4 
26.8 

'94."  ' 

.2 
13.2 

'66."  ' 
"l3.7'  ' 

.  .  .  „  . 
19.8 

1.5 

255. 

290. 

228. 

296. 

257. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon.) 


260 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was   collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(102nd  St.  & 

Calumet 

River) 

r.  Rosenbaum 

Grain  Co.  - 

350 

To  bed  rock 

18 
Aug-.  7,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(102nd  St.  & 

Calumet 

River) 

J.  Rosenbaum 

Grain  Co. 

502 

65 

7± 

Aug-.  7,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(93rd  St.  & 

Harbor  Ave.) 

South  Chicago 

Elevator  Co. 

367 

95 

30 

June  26,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate   nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as   CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


12. 


1 

08 

40 

18. 

0. 

247 

202 

— 182. 

.71 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride. 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium   carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


3.6 

39.6 


146.3 
'  77*3 


.2 
43.2 


320. 


1.9 

29.7 

4.3 

197.2 

'  '  3*4 


.4 
7.1 


253. 


.5 
29.7 


192.9 

"  io.'i 


5.6 


247. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate . 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.20 
2.31 

.57 
8.53 

4  "51 


.01 
2.51 


18.64 


.11 

1.73 

.25 

11.50 

'  '  .'20 

'  '  .'52 
.02 
.41 


14.74 


.03 
1.73 


11.25 

'  *  .'59 


.47 
.01 
.33 


14.41 


BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


261 


Cook 

Chicago 

(93rd  St.  & 

Harbor  Ave.) 

South  Chicago 
Elevator  Co. 
347 
95 
25 
Aug".  18,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(104th  St.  & 

Calumet  River) 

Star  &  Crescent 
Milling  Co. 
340 
185 
15 
Aug.  7,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(98th  St.  & 

Baltimore  Ave.) 

Willard  Sons  & 

Bell 

187 

105 

15 

Aug.  18,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(3914  Ellis  Ave.) 


Winamar  Apart- 
ment 
400 
To  bed  rock 

20 
Aug.  29,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(106th  St.  & 

Torrence   Ave.) 

Wisconsin 

Steel  Co. 

405 

72 

20 

Aug.  7,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


36. 

64. 

36. 

24. 

84. 

.1 

.2 

.2 

.4 

.2 

.00 

.00 

.00 

.32 

.56 

.00 

.00 

.00 

1.41 

2.48 

38. 

22. 

17. 

21. 

2  4. 

5.8 

.0 

6. 

17.7 

26.3 

294. 

232. 

255. 

178. 

292. 

200. 

167. 

187. 

110. 

202. 

—148. 

—126. 

—170. 

—34. 

—154. 

.54 

.48 

.52 

.88 

1.75 

(parts  per  million) 


62.7 

8.6 

156.9 

'36.3'  ' 
133.6'  ' 

'28.1   ' 
180.2"  ' 

1.9 
34.7 
26.2 
36. 

3.4 
39.6 
39. 
154.8 

'30.2  ' 

'53.8'  ' 

'30.2'  ' 

20.2" 

'  23.V  ' 

"16." 

.2 
19.4 

'  '  '  A  ' 

7.9 

.  .  .  „  . 

16.1 

'52."  ' 

.8 

6.2 

'  28.'  '  ' 
.4 
3.3 

294. 

232. 

255. 

178. 

292. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


282 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping-. gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(601  W.  Lake 

(Peoria  & 

(4501  Cortland 

St.) 

Fulton  Sts.) 

St.) 

L.  Wolff 

Wolff,  Sayre 

Acme  Malting 

Mfg.  Co. 

&  Heller 

Co. 

303 

400 

1350  + 

113 

To  bed  rock 

To  bed  rock 

15 

12 

50 

Aug.  15,  1914 

Aug.  15,  1914 

Aug.  14,  1914 

D eterminatioris  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03)  . 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


48. 
.4 
.36 
1.60 
30. 
134.1 
394. 
150. 
8. 
4.96 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcii  m  sulphate .... 
Calcium  carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


3.6 
33. 
31.6 
46.6 

"97  A  ' 

'  84.'  '  ' 
.8 
30. 

327. 


.5 

24.8 
15.2 
55.1 

'  53.8  ' 

"  45.'  '  ' 

1.2 

16.4 

212. 


2.2 
49.5 
187. 

'  '  V.G  ' 
33.6 

lib! 

.8 
1.3 

394. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride , 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.21 
1.92 

1.84 
2.72 

5.68 

4.*90 

.05 

1.75 

19.07 


.03 
1.45 


3.21 
3.'l4 


2.62 
.07 
.96 


12.36 


.13 

2.88 
10.91 

'  '  .'56 
1.96 

'  6. '42 
.05 
.08 


22.99 


BOILER  ANALYSES 


263 


waters   in   northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(Clybourn  & 

(1151   Racine  Ave. ) 

(538  SeborSt.) 

(123rd  St.  & 

(123rd  St.  & 

Wrightwood   Ave.) 

C.  &W.  I.   R.   R.) 

C.  &  W.  I.  R.  R) 

American  Bridge 

American  Color- 

American    Express 

American  Malt- 

American 

Co. 

type  Co. 

Co. 

ing  Co. 

Malting  Co. 

1650 

1580 

788 

1656 

1663 

To  bed  rock 

85 

To  bed  rock 

68 

68 

45 

35 

15 

60 

200 

Jan.  6,  1914 

Dec.  23,  1913 

•      Aug.  6,  1914 

June  6,  1914 

June  6,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


112. 

32. 

168. 

164. 

156. 

.6 

.8 

1.2 

.00 

.20 

.00 

.28 

.48 

.00 

.90 

.00 

1.20 

2.20 

76. 

28. 

58. 

200. 

170. 

409. 

55.6 

244.4 

685.9 

667.4 

961. 

308. 

691. 

1518. 

1466. 

216. 

162. 

232. 

206. 

196. 

252. 

—12. 

90. 
.76 

452. 

432. 

(parts  per  million) 


1.5 

1.6 

3. 

125.4 

46.2 

95.7 

330. 

280.5 

248. 

82.3 
12.7 

234.4 

371.3 

374.4 

134.4 

26.V 

108. 
65.5 

196.8 

187.2 

190.4 

391.7 

375.4 

216. 

118. 

154. 

206. 

196. 

1.2 

1.7 

2.5 

45.8 

18.7 

30.9 

20. 

49.5 

961.2 

308. 

691. 

1517.4 

1466. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.09 

.09 

.17 

7.31 

2.69 

5.58 

19.25 

16.35 

14.47 

4.80 

.74 

13.66 

21.65 

21.83 

7.83 

'  "i.57 

6.30 
3.82 

11.48 

10.92 

11.10 

22.83 

21.89 

12.60 

6.88 

8.98 

12.01 

11.43 

.07 

.10 

.14 

2.66 

1.09 

1.80 

1.17 

2.86 

56.04 

17.96 

40.28 

88.48 

85.45 

264 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  under groum 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping gals,    per   min. 

Date  sample  was   collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(123rd  St.  & 

C.  &  W.  I.  R.  R.) 

American 

Malting  Co. 

1015    (Drilling) 

68 


June  26,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(123rd  St.  & 

C.  &  W.  I.  R.  R.) 

American 

Malting  Co. 

1225   (Drilling) 

68 


July  20,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(123rd  St.  & 

C.  &W.  I.  R.  R.) 

American 

Malting  Co. 

1315    (Drilling) 

68 


Aug.  3,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaCOs) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as   CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


68. 

3.2 

.00 

.00 

80. 

30.9 

410. 

223. 

158. 

112. 
.2 
.00 
.00 
46. 
19.3 
365. 
221. 
-142. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

7.70 
2.66 

9.77 

3  .'33 

'  '  ."38 

.06 

.15 
6.35 
3.27 
8.66 

3.14 

l.*57* 
.10 
.62 

'  4  42 

Sodium  sulphate 

1.66 

8  77 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  sulphate 

5*49 

02 

Undetermined 

.90 

Total 

23.90 

23.86 

21  26 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in    northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


265 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(123rd  St.  & 

(123rd  St.  & 

(1249  S.  Talman 

(Hickory  &  Bliss 

(31st  Place  & 

C.  &  W.  I.  R.  R.) 

C.  &  W.  I.  R.  R.) 

Ave.) 

Sts.) 

Waterville) 

American     Malting 

American     Malting 

American    Malting 

American     Malting 

Armour  Glue 

Co. 

Co. 

Co. 

Co. 

Works 

1475  (Drilling) 

1575  (Drilling) 

1603 

1302 

1595 

68 

68 

571 

75 

45 

150 

110 

150 

Aug.  8,  1914 

Aug.  19,  1914 

Jan.  12,  1914 

Jan.  8,  1914 

Aug.  31,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


160. 

40. 

144. 

204. 

116. 

.3 

.4 

.6 

.0 

.6 

.00 

.80 

.00 

.00 

.00 

.00 

3.5 

.00 

.00 

.00 

44. 

15. 

160. 

184. 

170. 

42.8 

51.8 

489.2 

638.6 

508.6 

422. 

231. 

1218. 

1424. 

1260. 

255. 

126. 

228. 

220. 

209. 

—180. 

18. 

344. 

368. 

.17 

152. 

(parts  per  million) 


4.8 

72.6 

24.8 

264. 

303.6 

280.5 

63.2 

51. 

236. 

423.4 

537.2 

186.6 

21.6 

172.8 

244.8 

139.2 

63.8 

52.1 

272. 

223. 

49. 

3. 

64. 

228. 

220. 

209. 

.6 

.8 

1.2 

1.2 

32.2 

11.9 

44. 

9.2 

43.9 

422. 

231. 

1218. 

1424. 

1260. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.28 

4.23 

1.45 

15.40 

17.70 

16.36 

3.68 

2.97 

13.77 

24.68 

31.33 

10.88 

1.26 

10.08 

14.28 

8.12 

3.71 

3.04 

15.87 

13.01 

2.86 

.17 

3.73 

13.30 

12.83 

12.19 

.03 

.05 

.07 

.08 

1.29 

.69 

2.57 

.54 

2.56 

23.99 

13.47 

71.06 

83.04 

73.50 

266 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate  of   pumping- gals,    per  min 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(31st  Place  & 

Waterville) 

Armour  Glue 

Works 

Butcher  Shop 

1210 

45 

175 

Aug.  31,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(31st  Place  & 

Waterville) 

Armour  Glue 

Works 

Cook  House 

1500± 

45 

150 

Aug.  31,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 
(660  W.  Ran- 
dolph St.) 
Arnold  Pack- 
ing Co. 

1660 
To  bed  rock 

80 
Aug.  15,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

116. 
.2 
.56 
2.5 
410. 
391.7 
1489. 
221. 
132. 

72. 
.2 
.72 
3.18 
280. 
439.9 
1347. 
221. 
"  138. 

152. 
.3 

.00 

Nitrate 

.00 

90. 

489.2 

1108. 

Alkalinity    (as    CaCOs) 

230. 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 

316. 
.32 

Hypothetical  combinations 


3.4 
676.6 
392.6 

139.2'  ' 

"21*8  ' 

221. 
.4 
34. 

4.4 

462.1 
455.1 

'  86*4  ' 

'  89*8  * 
221. 
.4 
27.8 

Sodium  chloride 

148.5 
275.8 

182.4 

Calcium  sulphate 

182.4 
230. 

.6 

88.3 

Total 

1489. 

1347. 

1108. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.... 
Calcium  carbonate. 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


BOILEK  ANALYSES 


267 


waters   in   northeastern  Illinois— 

-Continued 

Cook 

Chicago 

918  W.  12th  St.) 

Bartholomae  & 
Roesing 

Cook 

Chicago 

(1317  Fletcher 

St.) 

Best  Brewery  Co. 

Cook 

Chicago 

(1315  Webster 

Ave.) 

Birk  Bros. 

Brewery 

Cook 

Chicago 

(1616  Burlington 

St.) 

Bishop   &   Babcock 

Cook 

Chicago 

(Kinzie  & 

Clark  Sts.) 

Booth  Cold 

Storage    Co. 

1609 
85 
50 
Jan.  12,  1914 

2013 
64 
117 
Dec.  23,  1913 

1610 
40 
45 
Dec.  23,  1913 

1600  + 
73 

100 
Sept.  5,  1914 

926 
79 
35 
Aug.  6,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


124. 

100. 

148. 

112. 

64. 

1.2 

.8 

0. 

.1 

.2 

.00 

.20 

.08 

.00 

.00 

.00 

.90 

.40 

.00 

00. 

64. 

162. 

80. 

95. 

36. 

360.4 

849.7 

530.8 

330.8 

8.2 

758. 

1740. 

1146. 

860. 

324. 

130. 

212. 

216. 

207. 

217. 

256. 

176. 

352. 

260. 

—76. 

.18 

.55 

(parts  per  million) 


1.5 

.5 

105.6 

267.3 

132. 

156.8 

59.4 

170. 

1006.3 

286.1 

120.6 

12.1 
80.6 

148.8 

120. 

177.6 

134.4 

'53.8'  * 

179.5 

103.4 

277.4 

201.3 

130. 

212. 

216. 

207. 

77. 

2.5 

1.7 

.2 

.4 

21.6 

27.8 

56.4 

39.7 

40.7 

758. 

1740. 

1146. 

860. 

324. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.09 

.03 

6.15 

15.57 

7.70 

9.15 

3.46 

9.92 

58.69 

16.68 

7.03 

.71 

4.70 

8.67 

7.00 

10.35 

7.84 

'  '3.13 

10.49 

6.03 

16.17 

11.74 

7.58 

12.37 

12.60 

12.07 

4.49 

.15 

.10 

.01 

.02 

1.30 

1.62 

3.28 

2.32 

2.37 

44.26 

101.47 

66.81 

50.16 

18.88 

268 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town .  :  . 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth   of   casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was   collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Elston& 

Snow  Sts.) 

Brand  Branch 

U.  S.  Brewing 

1346 
60 
75 
Dec.  23,  1913 


Cook 

Chicago 

(2530  Elston 

Ave.) 

Brand 

Brewing 

Co. 

1600± 

60 
125 
Dec.  23,  1913 


Cook 
Chicago 
(12  0  W.  Madi- 
son St.) 
Brevoort 
Hotel 

1280 
To  bed  rock 

50 
June  23,  1914 


Determinations  madi 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) _  .  . 

Iron 

104. 
1.2 

.24 
1.1 
40. 
227.3 
588. 
160. 
116. 

180. 
.0 
.00 
.00 
100. 
535  7 
1174. 
220. 
"  320. 

140. 

7 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

.40 

Nitrate 

1  80 

Chlorine 

130. 

Sulphate 

518. 

Residue 

1247. 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

236. 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 

392. 

Hydrogen  sulphide 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate.. 
Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium   sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate.  .  .  , 

Iron  carbonate 

L'ndetermined 

Total 


1.5 
66. 

171.7 

165.1  ' 
339. 

2.5 
214.5 
352.5 

125.* 

216."  "  ' 

is*.' 

"16.3" 
160. 
2.5 
45. 

190.4  ' 
220. 

'43.5*  ' 

206.7  * 
236. 
1.5 
65.3 

588. 

1174. 

1247. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.09 

3.84 

10.01 

7.2V 

'  "  ."95 

9.33 

.15 

2.62 

'  '  9.6*3' 
19.77 

*  12.6*0* 

*  ii.10" 

12.83 
'  '2.54" 

.15 

Sodium  chloride 

12.49 

Sodium  sulphate 

20.54 

Magnesium   sulphate 

9.80 

Calcium  sulphate 

12.04 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

13.77 

.09 

3.80 

Total 

34.28 

68.47 

72.68 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


269 


Cook 

Chicago 

(1263  W.  North 

Ave.) 

Chicago  Brewery 


1875 
90 
75 
Jan.  8,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(1632  Indiana 

Ave.) 

Chicago  Cold 

Storage  Co. 

1000  (Drilling) 


To  bed  rock 
June  10,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(1632  Indiana 

Ave.) 

Chicago  Cold 

Storage  Co. 

1117  (Drilling) 


To  bed  rock 
June  24,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(4535    Gross    Ave.) 

Chicago  Packing 
Co. 

1615 
400 
8  3 
July  20,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 

(Archer  Ave. 

&  Throop  St.) 
Citizens 
Brewery 

2188 

100 

To  bed  rock 

Sept.  5,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


88. 

144. 

276. 

160. 

176. 

1.4 

.2 

.4 

.3 

1.5 

.00 

.48 

.08 

.56 

.00 

.00 

2.20 

.40 

2.50 

.00 

136. 

21. 

50. 

115. 

1800. 

539. 

25.5 

16.5 

531.6 

253.9 

1293. 

438. 

548. 

1164. 

3717. 

208. 

364. 

480. 

209. 

197. 

156. 

—104. 

—72. 

370. 
.51 

568. 

(parts  per  million) 


3. 

.5 

3.4 

224.4 

34.7 

82.5 

189.8 

2614.6 

576.4 

37.7 
110.2 

24.4 
76.3 

272.2 

105.6 

iii.' 

231.8  ' 

192. 

211.2 

92.5 

275.6 

121.1 

208. 

116. 

132. 

209. 

197. 

2.9 

.4 

.8 

.6 

3.1 

38.2 

15. 

21.4 

232.9 

1293. 

438. 

548.3 

1164. 

3717. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.17 

.03 

.20 

13.08 

2.02 

4.8 

11.07 

152.51 

33.61 

2.20 
6.42 

1.42 

4.45 

15.88 

6.15 

'  Y.06' 

:  13.51' 

11.20 

12.32 

5.39 

16.07 

7.06 

12.13 

6.77 

7.69 

12.19 

11.49 

.17 

.02 

.05 

.03 

.18 

2.23 

.87 

1.25 

13.58 

75.38 

25.53 

31.95 

67.89 

216.80 

270 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(61st  &Uni- 

versityAve.) 

Consumers 

Ice  Co. 

1967 

To  bed  rock 

300 
Dec.  18,  1913 


Cook 

Chicago 

(65th  St.  & 

Lowe  Ave.) 

Consumers 

Ice  Co. 

1700 

To  bed  rock 

135 
June  23,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(30  N.  Green 

St.) 

Cooke    Brewery 

1800 
To  bed  rock 

85 
Jan.  13,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


120. 
1.4 

.52 
2.30 
500. 
783.4 
2146. 
228. 
144. 
.31 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium   sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


4.8 
379.5 
360.3 

220*8 

4  6  5.3* 
214. 
.8 
21.5 


1607. 


.5 
231. 
159.5 

148.8* 

152.3 

216. 

"91.9 


1000. 


3.2 

740. 
955.4 

i.44.'  * 

*32.*6 
228. 
2.9 
39.9 


2146. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.28 
22.13 
21.02 

"12.8*8* 

"23*6*7 

12.48 

.05 

1.25 

.03 

13.47 

9.30 

8.67 

8.8*8' 
12.60 

5.3*5 

.19 
43.16 

Sodium  sulphate 

55.72 

8.40 

1.90 

13.30 

.17 

2.33 

Total 

93.76 

58.30 

125.17 

BOILEK  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


271 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(1461  Clybourn 

(42nd  St.  &  Ash- 

(44th St.  &Cook 

(1734  Fullerton 

(1734   Fullerton 

Ave.) 

land  Ave.) 

Ave.) 

Ave.) 
Deering  Branch 

Ave.) 
Deering  Branch 

Crystal  Ice 

Darling  Packing 

Darling  Packing 

International 

International 

Mfg.  Co. 

Co. 

Co. 

Harvester  Co. 

Harvester    Co. 

1614 

1300 

1683 

1568 

1500 

92 

66 

61 

37 

37 

175 

300 

150 

110 

40 

June  5,  1914 

July  20,  1914 

Sept.  3,  1914 

Dec.  23,  1913 

Dec.  23,  1913 

(parts  per  million) 


164. 

132. 

12,0. 

148. 

144. 

.0 

.10 

.2 

1.2 

.8 

.00 

.36 

.52 

.08 

.20 

.00 

1.60 

3.08 

.40 

.9 

130. 

134. 

425. 

226. 

100. 

580.4 

441.9 

476.5 

571.9 

505.7 

1278. 

1087. 

1691. 

1418. 

1134. 

226. 

211. 

207. 

220. 

212. 

408. 

302. 
.26 

402. 
.37 

392. 

320. 

(parts  per  million) 


214/5' ' 

280.3 

2.2 
221.1 
224.9 

4.2 
701.3 
135.4 

.5 
372.9 
291.4 

1.2 
165. 
294.4 

196.8'  ' 

158.4  ' 

144.* 

i77.6  ' 

172.8  ' 

331.8*  ' 

226. 

'28.6*  ' 

231.2*  ' 
211. 

.2 
38. 

383.5*  ' 
207. 

.4 
115.2 

3318  ' 
220. 
2.5 
21,3 

239.4  ' 

212. 
1.7 
47.5 

1278. 

1087. 

1691. 

1418. 

1134. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


12.50' 

16.35 

.13 
12.90 
13.12 

.24 

40.90 

7.90 

.03 
21.75 
16.99 

.07 

9.62 

17.17 

'H.47 

'    9. 4*2'  . 

'8. Vo' 

10.35 

'  i6.*08 

'19.34 
13.18 

'  'i.'eV 

13.49 

12.31 

.01 

2.22 

22.37 

12.07 

.02 

6.72 

19.36 

12.83 

.15 

1,24 

'  13.96 

12.37 
.10 

2.77 

74.51 

63.42 

98.62 

82.70 

66.14 

272 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. 


-Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth    of   well feet 

Depth   of   casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was   collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Robinson  St. 

&  111.  Mich. 

Canal) 

Diamond 

Glue  Works 

1950 
To  bed  rock 

50 
Aug.  24,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 
(2610    N.    West- 
ern Ave.) 

Eagle     Brewery 

1583 
To  bed  rock 

100 
Jan.  6,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(51st  St.  & 

Pennsylvania 

R.    R) 

Fleishman 

Malting  Co. 

750± 
To  bed  rock 

20 
Aug.  29,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


40. 


.00 
.00 


27. 

16. 
199. 
132. 
-26. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium   carbonate 
Magnesium   sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium   carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


6.1 
160.1 
313.3 

158*4 

3l6."l 
179. 
1.7 

57.3 


1186. 


138.6 
433.8 

187.2* 

'59.8' 

232. 
1.2 

47.4 


1100. 


44.6 
23.7 
27.6 

"  33.6"  ' 

66. 
1.2 
2.3 


199. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.... 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.36 

9.34 

18.28 


9.24 

18.0*8 

10.44 

.10 

3.34 


69.18 


8.0V 

25.30 

'  io.Vi 

3  .'49 

13.53 

.07 

2.76 

64.13 


2.60 
1.38 
1.61 

i.9'6 

'  '3.8*5 
.07 
.13 

11.60 


BOILER  ANALYSES 


273 


waters*  in   northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


(412 


Cook 
Chicago 
S.   Desplaines 
St.) 


Fortune  Bros. 

Brewery 

1679 

112 

200 

Jan.  13,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Fulton  &  Green 

Sts.) 

Fulton     Wholesale 

Market 

1350 

90 

45 

Jan.  13,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(21st  Place  & 

Albany  Ave.) 

Garden  City 

Brewery 

1410 

To  bed  rock 

200  + 
Jan.  9,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(337  Alexander 

St.) 

Gottfried    Brewery 

1658 
76 
685 
Dec.  17,  1913 


Cook 

Chicago 

(79th  St.  & 

Stony  Island) 

Grand   Crossing 

Tack  Co. 

1630 

80 

110 

July  3,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


156. 

92. 

184. 

164. 

224. 

.8 

1. 

1.2 

.4 

.4 

.00 

.00 

.00 

.24 

.56 

.00 

.00 

.00 

1.10 

2.5 

82. 

42. 

550. 

440. 

240. 

543.1 

125.1 

347.3 

550.7 

696.2 

1134. 

426. 

1640. 

1781. 

1649. 

214. 

180. 

224. 

226. 

218. 

388. 

72. 

340. 

372. 

428. 

(parts  per  million) 


1.5 

3.4 

135.3 

69.3 

907.6 

726.1 

396.1 

254.1 

83.2 

31.5 

287.1 

423.6 

±87.2'  ' 

'86.4  ' 
16.8 

220.8'  ' 

196.8 

268.8'  ' 

315.5 

212.2 

282.9 

277.4 

214. 

160. 

224. 

226. 

218. 

1.6 

1.4 

2.5 

.8 

.8 

26.3 

8.9 

41.4 

59.8 

60.9 

1134. 

426. 

1640. 

1781. 

1649. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.09 

.2 

7.89 

4.03 

52.93 

42.34 

23.10 

14.82 

4.85 

1.84 

16,75 

24.71 

"  10.92' 

'    5.03 

.98 

12.88 

11.48 

'±5.'6'8 

18.40 

12.37 

16.50 

16.18 

12.48 

9.33 

13.06 

13.18 

12.71 

.09 

.08    ' 

.14 

.05 

.05 

1.53 

.52 

2.41 

3.49 

3.55 

66.13 

24.82 

95.63 

103.88 

'96.18 

274 


AKTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 

Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well. feet 

Depth  of  casing teet 

Rate   of   pumping gals,    per  mm. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 
Chicago 
(4  45    N.    Sacra- 
mento Blvd.) 
Griffen  Wheel 
Co. 

1738 
To  bed  rock 

175 
Jan.  11,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(1511    Webster) 

Gutman  Tan- 
neries 

990 
85 
90 
Dec.  22,  1913 


Cook 

Chicago 

(46th  St.  & 

RacineAve.) 

Hammond  & 

Co. 

East  Well 

1592 

67 

100 

Sept.  8,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaCOs) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) ........  ....  . 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaCG>3) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate.. 
Magnesium   carbonate, 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 


Total 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.... 
Calcium  carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


255.8 
269.6 


Hypothetical  combinations 


'  2  6. 21 
20.26 

*  14.83" 

'iO.47' 

12.72 

.05 

2.48 

.07 

7.88 

19.60 

'ii.4Y 

4.75' 

13.42 

.10 

2.75 

.04 

14.92 

15.72 

10.64 

24.74 

12.19 

.05 

5.45 

81.02 

60.04 

83.75 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


275 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(46th  St.  & 

(46th  St.  & 

(North  Ave.  & 

(89th  St.  near 

(48th  Ave.  & 

Racine  Ave.) 

Racine  Ave.) 

Clybourn) 

Lake  Mich.) 

Oakley) 

Hammond  &  Co. 

Hammond  &  Co. 

Peter  Hand 
Brewery 

Illinois  Steel  Co. 

Illinios 
Vinegar    Works 

Middle  Well 

West  Well 

1592 

1592 

1972 

2080 

1689 

64 

66 

80 

80 

56 

100 

100 

50 

16 

350 

Sept.  8,  1914 

Sept.  8,  1914 

Dec.  24,  1913 

June  26,  1914 

Oct.  6,  1915 

(parts  per  million) 


'parts  per  million) 


1.6 

2.5 

2. 

214.5 

297. 

339.9 

1463.7 

271. 

255.2 

913.4 
31.8 

1125.4 

138.2 

231. 

158.4 

107.5"  ' 

86.4 

14.4 

77.3 

154. 

424.3 

87. 

234. 

204. 

44. 

214. 

173. 

235. 

.4 

.4 

6.2 

2. 

136.2 

123.8 

39.7 

14.7 

48. 

1393. 

1517.9 

1894. 

1890. 

1177. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.09 

.15 

.12 

12.51 

17.32 

19.82 

85.36 

15.81 

14.88 

53.28 
1.85 

65.93 

8.06 

13.47 

9.26 

'  '6.27 

5.04 

.84 
4.51 

8.98 

24.74 

5.07 

13.65 

11.90 

2.57 

12.48 

10.09 

13.71 

.02 

.02 

.36 

.12 

7.94 

7.22 

2.31 

.86 

2.80 

81.25 

88.53 

110.74 

110.23 

6S.66 

276 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OE   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  v>  ell feet 

Depth  of  casing feet 

Rate  of   pumping-. gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was   collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(2612  W.  19th 

St.) 

Illinois 

Vinegar    Works 

1350± 
To  bed  rock 

150 
Jan.  9,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 

(1440  N.  Hal- 
sted  St.) 

Independent 
Brewery 

2164 
83 
125 
Jan.  6,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(41st  St.  & 

Halsted  St.) 

Independent 

Packing  Co. 

1605 
75 
75 
Aug.  31,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


64. 

6. 

6. 

26.5 

270. 

240.3 

1503. 

145. 


.82 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate , 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate . 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate .  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


544.6 
213.2 

153.6' 

'  9 2. '5 
224. 
1.2 
54.9 


1284. 


478.6 
1069.7 


•  1.2 


103.4 
212. 
1.7 
62.4 


2019. 


36.3 

445.6 
174. 

'  76."8* 

'87." 
145. 
12.4 


977.1 


Hypothetical  combinations 


'  31.79" 
12.43 

8. '9  5 

'  '5.V9 

13.07 

.07 

3.20 

"27*95 
162.38 

'  '5.V1 

*  '6.'oV 

12.37 

.10 

3.64 

2.12 

25.99 

10.15 

4.48 

5.0/ 

8.46 

.72 

Total                      

74.90 

217.77 

56.99 

BOILEB  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


277 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicagro 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(31st  St.  & 

(120th  St.  &  Mor- 

(2320 N.  Robey 

(Polk  St.  & 

(1735     Diversey 

Rockwell) 

gan  Ave.) 

St.) 

Rockwell) 

Parkway 

International 

International 

Jefferson  Ice  Co. 

Jelke  Butterine 

Library   Bureau 

Harvester  Co. 

Harvester  Co. 

Co. 

Tractor  Works 

1660 

1246 

1525 

1640 

1099 

50 

90 

To  bed  rock 

To  bed  rock 

To  bed  rock 

100 

150 

225 

175 

75 

Sept.  26,  1914 

June  25,  1914 

Jan.  8,  1914 

Aug.  27,  1914 

Jan.  6,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


140. 

152. 

200. 

120. 

120. 

1.8 

.2 

.0 

.0 

.6 

.44 

.00 

.00 

.00 

6.2 

1.8 

.00 

.00 

.00 

90. 

160. 

680. 

69. 

60. 

511.4 

432.9 

605.7 

391.7 

240.5 

1130. 

1224. 

2245. 

899. 

661. 

216. 

238. 

224. 

195. 

208. 

342. 

288. 

440. 

232. 
.44 

84. 

(parts  per  million) 


8.5 

2.5 

148.5 

264. 

1122.1 

113.9 

99. 

271.4 

233. 

272.6 

250.4 

236.9 

168. 

±82.4"  ' 

240. 

144. 

ioo.V ' 

30.2 

274.7 

185. 

326. 

152.3 

216. 

238.   , 

224. 

195. 

172. 

3.7 

.4 

1.2 

39.2 

44.7 

59.9 

43.4 

20.9 

1130. 

1150. 

2245. 

899. 

661. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.49 

.15 

8.66 

15.40 

65.44 

6.64 

5.77 

15.82 

13.59 

15.90 

14.60 

13.81 

'  '9.80' 

10.63 

'i4.bb' 

'  '8.V0' 

'  '5.88' 
1.76 

16.02 

10.79 

19.03 

8.88 

12.60 

13.88 

13.07 

11.37 

10.03 

.21 

.02 

.07 

2.28 

2.60 

3.49 

2.53 

1.22 

65.88 

67.06 

130.93 

52.42 

38.54 

278 


ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing feet 

Hate  of  pumping- gals,   per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(31st  St.  & 

Kedzie  Ave.) 

Liquid 
Carbonic    Co. 

1610 
62 
150 
Aug.  6,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Fullerton  & 

Elston  Ave.) 

J.  Lister  Glue 

Works 

700 
To  bed  rock 

50 
Dec.  23,  1913 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Fullerton  & 

Elston  Ave.) 

J.  Lister  Glue 

Works 

1200 
To  bed  rock 

75 
Dec.  23,  1913 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


176. 
.2 
.08 
.35 
46. 

294.2 

648. 

171. 

186. 
.17 


168. 

172. 

.0 

.8 

.28 

.12 

1.20 

.50 

152. 

80. 

495.8 

461.2 

1168. 

1064. 

230. 

238. 

292. 

240. 



Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

.5 

75.9 
170.8 

'zii'.'z  ' 
"is.V ' 

171. 
A 
4.6 

1.6 

247.5 
319.5 

20i.V  ' 

168.6" 
230. 

.7 
132. 
342  1 

Sodium  carbonate 

Magnesium  sulphate 

206.4  ' 

Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

92.6 
238. 
1.7 

Undetermined 

50.6 

Total. 

648. 

1168.8 

1064. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.03 
4.42 
9.96 

'  i.2.3'1 

'  ' '  .7*9 

9.97 

.02 

.27 

.09 

14.44 
18.64 

'  11.75' 

'  '  9.8*3' 
13.42 

.04 

Sodium  chloride 

7.70 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

19.95 

Magnesium  sulphate 

12.04 

Magnesium  carbonate 

Calcium  sulphate 

5.39 

13.88 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

.10 
2.95 

Total 

37.77 

68.17 

62.05 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


279 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Paulina  & 

Kinzie  Sts.) 

Lomax  Bottle  Co. 


1625 
113 
GO 
Aug.  27,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(3901  Emerald 

Ave.) 

Manhattan 

Brewery 

1643 
811 
80 
Jan.  25,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Sedgwick  & 

Beethoven  Ave.) 

O.  F.  Mayer 

Packing  Co. 

1626 
107 
100 
Aug.  6,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(26th  St.  &Blue 

Island) 

McCormick 

Branch,  I.  H.  Co. 

1744 
30 
225 
Sept.  4,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(27th  St.  & 

Western    Ave.) 

McCormick 

Branch,    I.    H. 

Co. 

1659 

50 

200 

Sept.  4,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


112. 

192. 

164. 

128. 

120. 

.0 

.7 

.2 

.1 

.1 

.00 

.64 

.00 

.00 

.68 

.00 

2.80 

.00 

.00 

3.00 

37. 

240. 

166. 

165. 

150. 

178. 

553.4 

598.7 

380.6 

446. 

512. 

1448. 

1387. 

1142. 

1120. 

178. 

206. 

157. 

215, 

209. 

52. 

380. 

443. 

272. 

310. 

1.86 

.66 

(parts  per  million) 


3.8 

4.1 

61.1 

396.1 

273.9 

272.3 

247.5 

189.4 

280. 

253.9 

177.6 

220.1 

*62.'4  ' 

230.V  ' 

196.8  . 

153.6  ' 

144. 

50.4 

355.7 

383.5 

195.8 

258.4 

118. 

206. 

157. 

215. 

.  209. 

1.4 

.4 

.2 

.2 

30.7 

74.6 

121.5 

127.5 

36.7 

512. 

1448. 

1387. 

1142. 

1120. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.22 

.24 

3.56 

23.10 

15.97 

15.88 

14.44 

11.05 

16.33 

14.80 

10.36 

12.84 

'  '3. '64 

'  i3.'44" 

"  ii.48 

8  .'96 

8. '40 

2.94 

14.91 

22.37 

11.42 

15.07 

6.88 

12.02 

9.16 

12.54 

12.19 

.08 

.02 

.01 

.01 

1.79 

4.35 

7.08 

7.44 

2.14 

29.86 

84.45 

80.88 

66.61 

65.33 

280 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate   of  pumping- g-ais.'  per  min 

Date  sample  was  collected... 


Cook 

Chicago 

(2639  Grand 

Ave.) 
Mechanical 
Rubber  Co. 

1260 
To  bed  rock 

65 
Aug.  6,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(45th  Place  & 

Packers  Ave.) 

Miller  &  Hart 

Packing  Co. 

1641 

174 

225 

July  21,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(2421  W.  21st 

St.) 

Monarch 

Brewery 

1600 

To  bed  rock 

115 
Dec.  17,  1913 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen. 

Nitrate '.'..'.'.' .'.'.'.'.' .' 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity  (as  CaCOs) ...'.'.'.'.  7.7.'.' 
Non-carbonate  hardness  (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


232. 

164. 

192. 

.2 

.2 

.0 

.60 

.60 

56 

2.65 

2.70 

2.50 

190. 

130. 

250. 

513.1 

526.7 

412.4 

1291. 

1234. 

1253. 

174. 

206. 

228. 

300. 

380. 

292. 

.24 

.25 

Sodium   nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate.. 
Magnesium  carbonate. 

Calcium   sulnhate 

Calcium  carbonate.  .  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 


Total 


3.6 
313.5 


278.4 


92.5 
174. 


95.6 


1291. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


3.7 

214.5 
246.2 

i96.*8 

293.'8 
206. 
.4 
72.6 


1234. 


3.4 
412.6 
196.1 

2  3  6. '4 

136."  ' 

228. 

'46.V 


1253. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

20 
18.28 
19.42 

'  16. '2*3* 

'  '5.3V 

10.15 

.02 

5.57 

.22 
12.51 
14.36 

'Has 

'17.Y4' 

12.02 

.02 

4.23 

.19 
24.03 
11.43 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

Magnesium  sulphate 

'  13*44 

Magnesium   carbonate 

Calcium  sulphate 

7  .¥3' 
13.30 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

2.7*1 

Total 

75.26 

71.98 

73.03 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

•waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


281 


Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(2421   W.   21st   St.) 

(Union  Stock 

Yards) 

Monarch  Brewery 

Morris  &  Co. 

Sec.  J, 

1573 

1260 

To  bed  rock 

70 

400 

225 

June  23,  1914 

July  6,  1914 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(Union  Stock 

(Union  Stock 

(Union  Stock 

Yards) 

Yards) 

Yards) 

Morris  &  Co. 

Morris  &  Co. 

Morris  &  Co. 

Sec.  15 

Hog  house 

Glue  house,  20 

1331 

2325 

1622 

To  bed  rock 

To  bed  rock 

67 

275 

250 

300 

July  6,  1914 

July  6,  1914 

July  6,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


132. 

228. 

144. 

264. 

176. 

.0 

.8 

.4 

7. 

.3 

.16 

.68 

.24 

.60 

.08 

.70 

3.00 

1.10 

2.70 

.40 

180. 

410. 

210. 

2000. 

140. 

414.8 

431.6 

350.6 

177.7 

416.4 

1128. 

1563. 

1067. 

3761. 

1060. 

214. 

203. 

197. 

186. 

231. 

304. 

412. 

292. 

450. 

284. 

.32 

.36 

.40 

(parts  per  million) 


1. 

4.1 

1.5 

3.7 

.5 

297. 

676.6 

346.5 

2990.2 

231. 

182.5 

54.5 

104.6 

213.6 

158.4 

273.6*  ' 

172.8*  ' 

256*8  ' 

2ii.2* ' 

233.9 

250.2 

201.3 

252.9 

146.9 

214. 

203. 

197. 

173. 

231. 

1.7 

.8 

14.5 

.6 

41.2 

99.3 

42.5 

75.9 

25.2 

1128. 

1563. 

1067. 

3761. 

1060. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.05 

.24 

.09 

.22 

.03 

17.32 

39.47 

20.21 

174.42 

13.47 

10.64 

3.18 

6.10 

12.46 

9.24 

'  15.96 

10.08 

'i  4.6*3" 

"i.2."32 

13.64 

14.59 

11.74 

14.75 

8.57 

12.48 

11.84 

11.49 

10.09 

13.47 

.10 

.05 

.85 

.03 

2.4 

5.79 

2.48 

4.43 

1.47 

65.77 

91.17 

62.24 

219.39 

61.82 

282 


ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate   of  pumping- gals,    per  min 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Union  Stock 

Yards) 
Morris  &  Co. 
Oleo  House 

2300± 
To  bed  rock 

250 
July  22,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(3937  Wallace 

St.) 

Mullens 

Brewery 

1632 

43 

70 

Dec.  16,  1913 


Cook 

Chicago 

(1908  W.  18th 

St.) 

National 

Brewery 

1590 

18 

100 

Dec.  18,  1913 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


444. 

108. 

156. 

1. 

.4 

1.6 

.12 

.00 

.24 

.50 

.00 

1.10 

2800. 

120. 

130. 

337.4 

466.1 

555.8 

5300. 

1088. 

1217. 

177. 

214. 

210. 

594. 

272. 

360. 

.26 

.46 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate .... 
Calcium  carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


42f 


242.6 
254.2 
204. 
177. 

2.1 
131.4 


5300. 


198. 
303.4 


130. 


223. 
214. 


1088. 


1.5 

214.5 
311.7 


182.7 

277.4 
210. 
3.3 
11.4 


1217. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


.04 
250.12 

"i.4.15 

14.83 

11.90 

10.32 

.12 

7.66 

'  11.55" 
17.69 

"7.5V 

'iioV 

12.48 

.05 

1.10 

.03 

12.67 

18.55 

iU.^1 

Calcium  sulphate 

±o.l7 

12.25 

.19 

.66 

Total 

309.14 

63.46 

71.43 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


283 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(2270  Clybourn 

(Halsted  &  Lum- 

(3927 S.  Halsted 

(3249    W.  26th    St.) 

(Lombard    Ave. 

Ave.) 

ber  St.) 

St.) 

&  Gt.  W.  'R.  R.) 

Northwestern 

Omaha  Packing 

Pfaelzer  Packing 

Pilsen  Brewery 

Public  Service 

Brewery 

Co. 

Co. 

Co.  of  N.  111. 

1302 

1300  + 

1600 

1845 

1705 

To  bed  rock 

32 

To  bed  rock 

To  bed  rock 

82 

40 

200 

100 

100 

100 

Dec.  23,  1913 

Aug.  28,  1914 

Aug.  29,  1914 

Dec.  18,  1913 

JulyS,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


192. 

160. 

128. 

104. 

92. 

.00 

.0 

.6 

1.6 

.4 

.52 

.00 

.00 

.00 

.00 

2.20 

.00 

.00 

.00 

.00 

234. 

155. 

210. 

39. 

150. 

569.9 

578.8 

511.7 

92.2 

134.5 

1434. 

1310. 

1343. 

375. 

664. 

202. 

207. 

219. 

152. 

233. 

356. 

374. 
.21 

354. 
1.5 

36. 

2. 

(parts  per  million) 


3. 

386.1 

255.8 

346.5 

64.4 

247.5 

338.5 

319.7 

254.8 

85.4 

196.2 

230.Y 

192." 

i53.V  ' 

"43.2'  ' 

'  '2.V  ' 
75.6 

223. 

291. 

307.4 

57.1 

202. 

207. 

219. 

84. 

143. 

1.2 

3.3 

.8 

51. 

44.5 

60.5 

37.6 

1434. 

1310. 

1343. 

375. 

665.5 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.17 

22.52 

14.92 

20.21 

3.75 

14.44 

19.74 

18.64 

14.86 

4.98 

11.44 

'13.44' 

'ii.20' 

'  '8.96" 

2.52' 

'  '  .14 
4.41 

13.00 

16.97 

17.93 

3.33 

11.78 

12.07 

12.77 

4.90 

8.34 

.07 

.19 

.05 

2.97 

2.60 

3.53 

2.19 

83.62 

76.40 

78.33 

21.86 

38.82 

284 


ARTESIAN   WATERS   OF  NORTHEASTERN  ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing- feet 

Rate    of   pumping- gals,    per   min. 

Date  sample  was   collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Lombard    Ave. 

&  Gt.  W.  R.  R.) 

Public  Service 

Co.  of  N.  111. 

1912 

97 

125 

July  8,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(445  Grant 

Place) 

Schmidt 

Brewery 

1603 

To  bed  rock 

35 
Jan.  13,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Canalport 

Ave.  &  18th 

St.) 

Schoenhoffen 

Brewery 

1600 

75 

100 

Dec.  18,  1913 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


188. 

72. 

140. 

.4 

.8 

2. 

.00 

.72 

.00 

.00 

3.10 

.00 

185. 

28. 

120. 

209. 

37.5 

569.1 

873. 

283. 

1289. 

262. 

162. 

222. 

124. 

—1.6 

384. 
.15 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


305.3 
133.6 

148  .'8 
53.8 

198*  ' 

.8 

32.7 


873. 


4.3 

46.2 

55.3 

1.7 

'  60*5  ' 

'  88.*4  ' 

1.7 

24.9 

283. 


198. 
297.6 

168.'  ' 

331*8 
222. 
4.1 
67.5 


128! 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate , 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


17.81 
7.79 

'  8*6*8 
3.14 

ii'55 

.05 

1.91 


50.93 


2.69 

3.22 

.10 

**  3*5*3 

5.15 

.10 
1.45 

16.49 


11.55 
17.35 

*  9.*8*0 

19*36 

12.95 

.24 

3.94 


75.19 


BOILER  ANALYSES 


285 


waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Canalport  Ave. 

&  18th  St.) 

Schoenhoffen 

Brewery 

2187 

75 

150 

Dec.  17,  1913 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Arthington  & 

Homan  Ave.) 

Sears.  Roebuck 

&Oo. 

1623 

92 

340 

June  22,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Arthington  & 

Homan  Ave.) 

Sears.  Roebuck 

&Co. 

1868 

853 

530 

June  22,  1914 


Cook 
Chicago 
(27th  St.  &  Cot- 
tage Grove  Ave.) 

Seipps  Brewery 

1600± 
To  bed  rock 

200 
Jan.  13,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(4651    Malcolm 

Ave.) 

Sellers  Mfg. 

Co. 

961 

To  bed  rock 

12 
Aug.  26,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


136. 

128. 

160. 

184. 

8. 

.0 

.0 

.4 

.4 

4. 

.24 

.16 

.04 

.00 

.no 

1.10 

.70 

.20 

.00 

.00 

620. 

280. 

580. 

160. 

38. 

578.3 

281.4 

273.6 

625. 

Trace 

2135. 

1131. 

1659. 

1384. 

238. 

240. 

230. 

230. 

212. 

119. 

556. 

236. 

352. 

440. 

—116. 

.15 

.17 

(parts  per  million) 


1.5 

1. 

.3 

1023.1 

462.1 

887.8 

264. 

62.7 

492.8 

81.8 

300.3 

123.' 

163.2 

153.6 

111.9 

220.8 

*  '  6.7  ' 

163.2 

146.9 

261.1 

348.2 

240, 

230. 

230. 

212. 

25. 

.8 

.8 

.8 

8.3 

51.2 

54.8 

111. 

37.9 

12.3 

2135. 

1131. 

1659. 

1384. 

238. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.09 

.06 

.02 

59.68 

26.95 

51.78 

15.40 

3.66 

28.74       ; 

4.76 

17.50 

T.'l  7 

9.51 

8.95 

6.52 

12.87 

"  '  .'39 

r  £.51 

■:.    -     '    8.56 

'  15.2*2' 

*  20.*30" 

14.00 

13.42 

13.41 

12.37 

1.46 

.04 

.05 

.04 

.48 

2.98       1 

3.18 

6.47 

2.21 

.72 

124.51 

65.92 

96.74 

80.69 

13.88 

!S6 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County Cook 

Town Chicago 

(1470  Larra- 
bee  St.) 

Owner ^WWWil       Siebens 

Brewery 

Depth   of  well feet  1240 

Depth  of  casing feet  98 

Rate   of   pumping gals,    per  min.  50 

.  Jan.  7,  1914 


Date  sample  was  collected. 


Cook 

Chicago 

(37th  &S. 

Halsted  Sts.) 

South  Side 

Brewery 

1631 
40 
75 
Dec.  18,  1913 


Cook  ■ 
Chicago 
(908  W.  North 
Ave.) 
Spielman    Vine- 
gar  Works 

1590 
86 
100 
Jan.  6,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    OaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


Hypothetical  combinations 


102.3 
200.7 
106. 

"63.8  ' 

'  48.'  '  ' 

'  39.2  ' 

412.6*  ' 
235. 

196.8  ' 

212.'7  ' 
216. 

'94.'9  ' 

Sodium  chloride 

125.4 
224  9 

Magnesium  sulphate 

139  2 

Calcium  sulphate 

391.7 
220 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

2.9 

43.9 

Total 

560. 

1368. 

1148. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

5.96 

11.70 

6.18 

3.72 

'  '2 '.SO 
2 .2  9 

'24.06 
13.71 

'  11.48 

'ii.Yo' 
12.60 

5.  '53 

Sodium  chloride 

7.31 

13.11 

Magnesium  sulphate 

8.12 

Magnesium   carbonate 

Calcium  sulphate 

22.85 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

12.83 

.17 

2.56 

Total 

32.65 

79.78 

66.95 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


287 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(1225  S.  Camp- 

(15th St.  &   Ash- 

(42nd St.  &  Ash- 

(Union Stock 

(Union  Stock 

bell  St.) 

land  Ave.) 

land  Ave.) 

Yards) 

Yards) 

Standard 

Steges  Brewery 

Sulzberger  Sons 

Swift  &  Co. 

Swift  &  Co. 

Brewery 

&Co. 

Bone  house 

Fertilizer 
house 

2120 

1750 

1690 

1979 

2019 

70 

90 

64 

72 

72 

40 

45 

600 

300 

250 

Jan.  10,  1914 

July  18,  1914 

July  6,  1914 

Sept.  8,  1914 

Sept.  9,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


68. 

152. 

200. 

152. 

204. 

3.6 

1.1 

.2 

.3 

.6 

.60 

.32 

.80 

.44 

.48 

2.70 

1.4 

3.5 

1.94 

212.2 

30. 

94. 

130. 

720. 

1500. 

53. 

472.4 

387.6 

300.4 

201.8 

317. 

1090. 

1037. 

1908. 

3244. 

162. 

234. 

236. 

234. 

208. 

—44. 

306. 
.26 

256. 
.26 

352. 

598. 

(parts  per  million) 


3.7 

1.9 

4.8 

2.7 

2.9 

49.5 

155.1 

214.5 

1111.5 

2005.9 

78.4 

265.3 

210.6 

46.6 

182.4 

240. 

182.4 

244.8 

57.1 

41.4 

444.8 

209.4 

76.2 

219.6 

9.2 

50. 

234. 

236. 

234. 

208. 

7.5 

2.3 

.4 

.6 

1.2 

23.3 

39.6 

54.5 

115.8 

327.2 

316.1 

1090. 

1037. 

1908. 

3244. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.22 

.11 

.28 

.16 

.17 

2.88 

9.05 

12.51 

64.81 

117. 

4.57 

15.47 

12.28 

2.71 

10.64 

14.00 

10.64 

14.28 

3.33 

2.41 

25.94 

12.21 

4.44 

12  81 

.5  4 

2.92 

13.65 

13.77 

13.65 

12.13 

.44 

.13 

.02 

.03 

.07 

1.36 

2.31 

3.18 

6.75 

19.08 

18.43 

63.57 

60.48 

111.26 

189.21 

288 


ARTESIAN    WATEES    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate    of   pumping- gals,    per   min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Union  Stock 

Yards) 
Swift  &  Co. 
Hog  house 


2008 
70 
250 
Sept.   8,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Union  Stock 

Yards) 
Swift  &  Go. 
House  No.  5 


1643 
70± 
250 
Sept.   8,   1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(Union  Stock 

Yards) 

Swift  &  Co. 

Refrigerating- 

Plant 

2000 
56 
300 
Sept.  8,  1914 


Determinations  madi 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) ■• 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


176. 
.6 
.32 
2.21 
690. 
453. 
2127. 
217. 
176. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate .... 
Calcium  carbonate .  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


3.1 

841.6 
130.3 

187.2  ' 

198.6'  ' 
229. 
1.7 
33.5 

1625. 


5.2 

594.1 

54.6 

211. '2 

212.'2 
232. 
.6 
52.1 


1362. 


3.3 

1094.4 

211.2'  ' 

41.9 

402.6 

217. 

1.2 

155.4 

2127. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.18 

49.09 

7.60 

'  io.'sfe' 

'il.'5's 

13.36 

.10 

1.95 

.30 

34.65 
3.18 

'  12. '32 

'  i  2  .'38* 

13.53 

.03 

3.04 

.19 
63.84 

Magnesium   sulphate 

12.32 
2.44 

23.54 

12.66 

.07 

9.06 

Total    .                         

94.78 

79.43 

124.12 

BOILEK  ANALYSES 

waters  of  northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


289 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(Union  Stock 

(40th  St.  & 

(16th  &  Dearborn 

(Union  Stock 

(Union  Stock 

Yards) 

Butler  Ave.) 

Sts.) 

Yards) 

Yards) 

Swift  &  Co.  Oleo. 

Tosetti  Brewery 

Union  Cold  Stor- 

Yards &  Transit 

Union  Stock 

house 

age  Co.) 

Co. 
West  well 

Yards  & 

Transit  Co. 

East  well 

1643  + 

1366 

1135 

2180  + 

2180  + 

60  + 

42 

90 

To  bed  rock 

To  bed  rock 

200 

60 

20 

150 

100 

Sept.  8,  1914 

Dec.  18,  1913 

July  15,  1914 

July  25,  1914 

July  25,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


144. 

144. 

248. 

164. 

180. 

.4 

.8 

6. 

.1 

.2 

.20 

.24 

2.40 

.12 

.36 

.88 

1.1 

10.60 

.5 

1.6 

460. 

250. 

55. 

1250. 

1700. 

452.6 

553.7 

63.8 

233.3 

141.9 

1625. 

1456. 

2441. 

3217. 

221. 

212. 

565. 

219. 

195. 

378. 

362. 

14. 

328. 
.54 

482. 
.40 

(parts  per  million) 


1.2 

1.5 

14.5 

.7 

2.2 

759. 

412.6 

90.8 

1956.4 

2416.7 

134.1 

305.9 

74.6 

'86.'8  ' 

168*2  ' 

172.8 

172.8 

16.8 

86. 

171.5'  " 

318.2 

296.5 

223. 

201.1 

221. 

212. 

284.3 

195. 

.8 

1.6 

12.4 

.2 

.4 

17.9 

53.1 

87.9 

61.9 

1625. 

1456. 

711.2 

2441. 

3217. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon] 


290 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town.  ...    

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing feet 

Rate   of   pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Coot: 

Chicago 
(Union  Stock 

Yards) 
Union  Yards 
&  Transit  Co. 

975 
500± 
Drilling 
Sept.  26,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(20  E.  Austin) 

Western  Cold 
Storage  Co. 

2008 
643 
18 
July  15,  1914 


Cook 

Chicago 

(W.  48th  Ave. 

&  22nd  St.) 
Western  Elec- 
tric Co. 

1489 
68 
500 
Aug.  14,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaCOs) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as   CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


124. 

92. 

128. 

.1 

2.8 

.2 

.2 

.56 

.36 

.9 

2.5 

1.60 

245. 

330. 

190. 

171.5' 

886.7 

244.4 

1004. 

2068. 

924. 

360. 

|       —206. 

225. 
120. 

257. 

176. 

.08 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 
Magnesium   sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron   carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


1.2 
404. 
253.8 
218.4 


ioi.'i  ' 

'30."  ' 

.2 
43.3 

1055. 


2.2 

313.5 

44.1 

m.Y 

'65.3' 

257. 
.4 
30.3 


924. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.07 
23.56 
14.80 
12.73 

6.07' 

'  'i.75' 

.01 

2.53 

.2 

31.75 
66.62 

6.11 

'  '2.22' 

12.83 
.33 

.55 

.13 

18  28 

2  57 

Magnesium   sulphate 

Magnesium  carbonate 

12.31 

Calcium  sulphate .  . 

3.81 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

14.99 
.02 

1.77 

Total 

61.52 

120.61 

53.88 

waters  in  northeastern  Illinois- 


BOILEK  ANALYSES 

-Continued 


291 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

(916  N.  Paulina 

(38th  St.  &  Ra- 

(106th St.  &Tor- 

(915  S.  5th  Ave.) 

Heights 

Ave.) 

cine  Ave.) 

rence  Ave.) 

(City  Water 

West  Side  Brewery 

White  Eagle 

Wisconsin  Steel 

Wrisley  Soap 

Works 

Brewery 

Co. 

Works 

City 
Well  No.  2 

2100 

1816 

1706 

1490 

300 

To  bed  rock 

58 

67 

75  + 

50 

180 

200 

150 

200 

1500 

Jan.  8,  1914 

Dec.  7,  1913 

Aug.  7,  1914 

Jan.  12,  1914 

July  28,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


128. 

136. 

220. 

156. 

240. 

.8 

.4 

1. 

.4 

.2 

.48 

.24 

.32 

.00 

.24 

.      .00 

1.10 

1.41 

.00 

1.06 

780. 

140. 

255. 

98. 

8. 

679.7 

517.6 

809.3 

458. 

191.9 

2544. 

1222. 

1839. 

1027. 

628. 

216. 

212. 

221. 

202. 

376. 

296. 

362. 

530. 
.39 

312. 

162. 

(parts  per  million) 


2.1 

1.5 

1.9 

1  5 

1287.1 

231. 

420.8 

161.7 

13  2 

584.7 

252.2 

445.4 

235.2 

54  6 

153.V  ' 

163.2*  ' 

264.' 

i87.¥  ' 

194.4'  ' 
65.5 

228.9 

307.4 

421.6 

212.2 

216. 

212. 

202. 

298. 

1.7 

.8 

221. 

.8 

.4 

69.9 

53.9 

62.2 

27.9 

.4 

2544. 

1222. 

1839. 

1027. 

628. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.12 

.09 

.11 

.09 

75.05 

13.47 

24.54 

9.43 

.77 

34.20 

14.70 

25.98 

13.72 

3.18 

8.95 

'  V.52  ' 

'ii.Yo* 

*i6.92' 

*  ii.33* 

3.82 

13.34 

17.92 

24.59 

12.37 

12.60 

12.37 

12.89 

11.78 

17.38 

.10 

.05 

.12 

.05 

.02 

4.07 

3.14 

3.62 

1.63 

.02 

148.43 

71.26 

107.25 

59.90 

36.61 

292 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing feet 

Rate  of   pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cools 

Chicago 

Heights 

(City  Water 

Works) 

City 

Well  No.  3 
300 

50± 
1500 
July  28,  1914 


Cook 

South   Chicago 

Heights 


Village 


2700± 

65 
150 
July  28,  1914 


Cook 
Clearing 

SW.  %  Sec. 
21,  T.  38N..R. 

•1  q  -pi 

C.  &  W.  I.  'r.  r. 

Well  No.  1 

1554 
84 
250 
July  9,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 


124. 


45. 
164. ( 
480. 
148. 
■  82. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

2.9 
18.2 

47.9 

345*6  * 

*  16.*3  ' 
372. 

.8 
13.3 

2.5 
18.2 
29.9 

8.5 

l'ei'.i ' 

213*5  ' 

'ii.i  ' 

.5 

Sodium  chloride 

74.3 

Sodium  sulphate , 

127.5 

Sodium  carbonate 

Magnesium,  sulphate 

98.4 

35  3 

Calcium  carbonate 

106. 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

1.5 
3'6.5 

Total 

817. 

451. 

480. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  . . . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.17 
1.06 
2.79 

2*  6.1*6* 

'  '  *9*5 

21.70 

.05 

.78 


47.66 


.15 
1.06 
1.74 

.5 

'  9.40 
12.4*5 

'  i.'o'o* 


26.30 


.03 
4.33 

7.44 


5.74 

2.06 

6.1*8* 

.09 

2.13 

28.00 


BOILEK  ANALYSES 

waters  in  northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


293 


Cook 
Clearing 

Cook 
Clearing 

Cook 
Des  Plaines 

Cook 
Harvey 

Cook 
Harvey 

SW.  %,  Sec.  21, 
T.  38,  N.,  R.  13  E. 

SW.  %,  Sec.  21, 
T.  3  8  N.,  R.  13  E. 

(City  Water- 
works) 

(155th  St.  near 
I.  C.  R.  R.) 

(City  Water 
Works) 

C.  &  W.  I.  R.  R. 

Well  No.  2 
1586 
80 
225 
July  9,  1914 

C.  &  W.  I.  R.  R. 

Well  No.  3 
1584 
100 
225 
July  9,  1914 

City 

125 
125 
45 
Aug.  17,  1914 

Austin  Mfg.  Co. 

1128 
20  + 
30  + 
July  26,  1914 

Public  Service 

Co.  of  N.  111. 

Well  No.  1 

1320± 
To  bed  rock 

85  + 
July  27,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


156. 

160. 

232. 

180. 

136. 

.2 

.6 

.8 

.3 

3. 

.80 

.80 

.88 

.40 

6.00 

3.50 

3.50 

3.88 

1.80 

26.50 

18. 

37. 

330. 

220. 

47. 

282.6 

228.8 

200.4 

662.5 

94.6 

589. 

582. 

1070. 

1564. 

574. 

127. 

163. 

170. 

225. 

332. 

182. 

128. 

298. 

434. 

—37.2 

(parts  per  million) 


4.8 

4.8 

5.3 

2.5 

29.7 

61.1 

440.8 

363. 

167.4 

157.3 

492.8 

±87.2*  ' 

153.6*  ' 
26.9 

251.1  ' 
(MgCl2)    21.5 

23.6."  ' 

35.8 

(CaCl2)     73.7 

227.4 

127. 

131. 

170. 

225.+ 

.4 

1.2 

.8 

.6 

36.7 

46.1 

106.8 

37.7 

589. 

582. 

1070. 

1565. 

36.3 

77.6 
140. 
39.5 

ii.4.'2 

158.7 
6.2 
1.5 


574. 


(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.28 
1.73 
9.76 

'  10. V  2 

'  'i'oV 

7.41 

.02 

2.14 

.28 
3.56 
9.17 

8.  "96 
1.57 

7.6*4 

.07 
2.69 

.31 

25.70 

'±4.64 

(Mg012)      1.25 

(CaCl2)       4.28 

9.92 

.05 

6.23 

.15 
21.17 

28.74 

'ii.Vo 

'  13.2*6' 

13.12 

.03 

2.20 

2.12 
4.52 
8.16 
2.30 

*'6.*6'6' 

9.2*5 

.36 

.09 

34.35 

33.94 

62.38 

91.27 

33.46 

294 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town , 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping gals,    per  rain. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 
Harvey 
(City  Water- 
works) 

Public  Service 

Co.  of  N.  111. 

"Well  No.  2 

1600± 
To  bed  rock 

100± 
July  27,  1914 


Cook 
Harvey 
(City  Water- 
works) 

Public  Service 

Co.  of  N.  111. 

Well  No.  4 

1600± 
To  bed  rock 

200± 
July  26,  1914 


I  Cook 

Hubbard  Woods 


North  Shore 
Ice  Co. 

1437 
180± 

140 
Aug.  25,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaCOs) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaCQ3) 


184. 

120. 

.1 

.4 

.80 

.00 

3.50 

.00 

145. 

37. 

513. 

321. 

1268. 

794. 

270. 

236. 

338. 

190. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate .... 
Calcium  carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


1.8 

297. 
332.9 

5. 
239.3 
279.7 

196.8 

220.8*  ' 

274.Y  ' 
216. 

209.4"  ' 
270. 

'46.8"  ' 

43.6 

1366. 

1268. 

*  oil ' 

205.4 

144."" 

*95.2"  ' 
236. 
.8 
51.5 

794. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


.11 
17.32 
19.42 

'  ii.*48 

'i.6.02 
12.60 

2.73 

.29 
13.96 
16.21 

'  12.88 

12. '21 

15.75 

.01 

2.54 

Sodium   chloride 

3.56 

Sodium   sulphate 

11.98 

8.40 

5.55 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

13.77 

.05 

3.00 

Total 

79.68 

73.95 

46.31 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

zvaters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


295 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

La  Grange 

La  Grange 

Lemont 

Lyons 

Maywood 

(City  Water 

(City  Water 

(City  Water 

(City  Water 

(St.  Charles 

Works) 

Works) 

Works) 

Works) 

Road&  9th 

Ave.) 

American  Can 

Public  Service 

Public  Service 

Public  Service 

City 

Go.  of  N.  111. 

Co.  of  N.  111. 

Co.  of  N.  111. 

Co. 

Well  No.  1 

Well  No.  2 

1990 

2000  + 

2284 

1595 

1607 

10  + 

10  + 

To  bed  rock 

To  bed  rock 

55  + 

400 

400 

125 

50 

150  + 

June  19,  1914 

June  19,  1914 

Sept.  24,  1915 

July  29,  1914 

Aug.  6,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.22 

.28 

.74 

.18 

3.46 

1.43 

56.81 

2.02 

.58 

2.66 

2.88 

3.97 
2.45 

1.63 

7.77 

6.43 

9.23 

9.38 

9.66 

3.33 

2.54 

3.91 

2.06 

4.01 

'i6.¥3 

'16.V3' 

'io.5'0' 

'  12.13* 

8.6*3 

.05 

.04 

.06 

.01 

.03 

.87 

3.38 

1.84 

.62 

33.35 

30.51 

77.70 

29.81 

31.48 

296 


AETESIAN    WATEES    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. 


-Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner • 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- '.  ifeet 

Rate   of  pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Maywood 

(City  Water- 
works) 
City 

1605 
53 
725 
Aug.  6,  1914 


Cook 
Melrose  Park 

(City  Water- 
works) 
City 
Well  No.  1 

1620 
To  bed  rock 

420 
Aug.  12,  1914 


Cook 
Melrose  Park 

(City  Water- 
works) 

City 

Well  No.  2 

1571 

94 

520 

Aug.  12,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue , 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaCOs) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


180. 

172. 

140. 

.8 

.4 

.1 

.24 

.32 

.56 

1.06 

1.41 

2.48 

42. 

7. 

6. 

226.3 

194.1 

195. 

592. 

566. 

547. 

216. 

.    277. 

271. 

152. 

116. 

114. 

.22 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium   carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


1.5 

69.3 
119.4 

i82.*4  ' 
23.7 

188."  ' 
1.7 
6. 

1.9 

11.6 

122.6 

i39.'2  " 
47. 

221.' 

.8 
21.9 

3.4 

9.9 

128.4 

136.8*  ' 

21.8 

245.' 

.2 

1.5 

592. 

566. 

547. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate.. 
Magnesium  carbonate. 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate.  .  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 


Total 


.08 
4.04 
6.96 


10.64 
1.38 

'l'o'.96' 
.10 
.35 


34.51 


.11 

.68 

7.15 

'  8.'ll 

2.74 

ii'sV 

.05 
1.28 


33.01 


.20 

.58 
7.48 

'7.V8 

1.27 

14  M 

.01 
.09 


31.90 


waters  in  northeastern  Illinois- 


BOILEE  ANALYSES 

-Continued 


297 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Park  Ridge 

Park  Ridge 

Proviso     Township 

Proviso     Township 

Proviso 

Township 

(SE.  14  NW. 

(City  Water 

(City  Water 

(SE.  %  NW.  % 

(SB.  %  NW.  % 

Works) 

Works) 

sec.  5 

sec.  5 

!/4  sec.  5) 

City 

City 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R. 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R. 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R. 

Well  No.  1 

Well  No.  2 

Well  No.  5 

1804 

1425 

1825 

1200 

1841 

100  + 

100  + 

1551 

66 

1723 

175 

175 

107 

150 

105 

Aug-.  26,  1914 

Aug-.  26,  1914 

March  3,  1914 

June  30,  1915 

Mar.  3,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


76. 

112. 

0. 

152. 

0. 

.4 

8. 

.4 

.2 

.0 

.40 

.64 

.80 

.64 

1.77 

4.42 

3.5 

2.1 

2.8 

105. 

155. 

22. 

23. 

42. 

355.9 

260.9 

98.3 

144.4 

41.6 

919. 

885. 

486. 

520. 

426. 

213. 

195. 

268. 

270. 

268. 

48. 

84. 

—52. 

46. 

—156. 

(parts  per  million) 


2.4 

6.6 

4.8 

2.9 

173.3 

255.8 

36.3 

38. 

458.6 

269.3 

145.4 
55.1 

148.6 

57.6 

105.6 

55.2 

23.5 

20.2 

89. 

i.85.' 

171. 

2i6."  ' 

164." 

.8 

16.6 

.4 

17.8 

39.9 

28.4 

21.9 

919. 

885. 

486. 

520. 

3.8 

69.3 

61.5 

165.4 


112. 
'l4. 


426. 


(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.14 

.38 

.28 

.17 

10.11 

14.92 

2.12 

2.22 

26.75 

15.71 

8.47 
3.21 

8.67 

3.36 

6.16 

3.22 

1.37 

1.18 

5.19 

'io.VV 

'  '9.9V 

'  ii.W 

9.57' 

.05 

.97 

.02 

1.04 

2.33 

1.66 

1.28 

53.61 

51.62 

28.34 

30.34 

.22 
4.04 
3.60 
9.64 


6.53 
'  '  .81 

24.84 


298 


ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner , 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing1 feet 

Rate   of   pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Cook 

Proviso 

Township 

(SE.  %  NW. 

%  sec.  5) 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R. 

Well  No.  9 

1849 

1522 

93 

Mar.  3,  1914 


Cook 

Proviso 

Township 

(SE.  %  NW. 

14  sec.  5) 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R. 

Well  No.  11 

1850 

1679 

100 

Mar.  3,  1914 


Cook 
Riverdale 

(City  Water- 
works) 
City 

434 
58 
160 
July  23,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 
Hydrogen  sulphide 


0. 

0. 

60. 

.0 

.1 

.5 

.16 

1.44 

.48 

.70 

6.20 

2.10 

46. 

26. 

17. 

44.8 

37.2 

96.3 

454. 

370. 

433. 

288. 

244. 

245. 

164. 

—140. 

—142. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

1. 

75.9 

66.3 

173.8 

i.24.' 

"13."' 

8.5 
42.9 
55. 
148.4 

104." 

'  ii.*2  ' 

2.9 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

28. 
142.5 
150.5 

Magnesium  sulphate 

Magnesium   carbonate 

50.4 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium   carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

'  43.'  '  ' 

1. 

14.7 

Total 

454. 

370. 

433. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.01 

4.42 

3.86 

10.14 

'  V.23- 
*  "  '  *76 

.49 
2.49 
3.20 
8.65 

6.0*7 
'  '  .'65 

.17 

Sodium  chloride 

1.63 

Sodium  sulphate 

8.31 

Sodium  carbonate 

8.78 

Magnesium  sulnhate 

Magnesium  carbonate 

2.94 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

2.51 
.06 

.86 

Total 

26.42 

21.55 

25.26 

waters  in  northeastern  Illinois- 


BOILEK  ANALYSES 

-Continued 


299 


Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

Cook 

River  Forest 

River  Forest 

Riverside 

Summit 

Summit 

(City  Water 

(City  Water 

(City  Water 

(City  Water 

(City   water- 

Works) 

Works) 

Works) 

Works) 

works) 

City 

City 

City 

City 

City 

Well  No.  1 

Well  No.  2 

West  Well 

1000  + 

980 

1980 

1547 

54 

54 

302 

60  + 

58 

109 

150 

240 

175 

Aug.  15,  1914 

Aug.  15,  1914 

July  29,  1914 

July  20,  1914 

Aug.  21,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


108. 

84. 

168. 

156. 

128. 

.2 

.1 

.3 

.1 

.2 

.32 

.40 

.32 

.32 

1.00 

1.41 

1.8 

1.4 

1.4 

4.42 

9. 

8. 

65. 

100. 

14. 

189.6 

128.3 

167.9 

139.9 

81.9 

526. 

437. 

670. 

672. 

423. 

245. 

229. 

342. 

288. 

262. 

42. 

—26. 

—4. 

—24. 

12. 

.70 

1.86 

.19 

(parts  per  million) 


1.9 

2.5 

1.9 

1.9 

6.1 

14.9 

13.2 

105.6 

165. 

23.1 

221. 

189.9 

248.5 

207. 

104.2 

27.6 

1.2 

25.4 

50.4 

14.4 

55.4 

70.6 

141.1 

131. 

97.4 

179. 

ii9." 

iio.' 

108. 

146. 

.4 

2 

.6 

.2 

.4 

3. 

14. 

1.1 

33.5 

31.4 

526. 

437. 

670. 

672. 

423. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.11 

.16 

.11 

.11 

.36 

.87 

.77 

6.16 

9.62 

1.35 

12.89 

11.07 

14.49 

12.07 

6.08 

1.61 

.07 

1.48 

2.93 

.84 

3.22 

4.12 

8.23 

7.64 

5.6S 

'  10.44* 

'  .6.94 

'  '9. 92 

'  '6.V0 

8.52 

.02 

.01 

.03 

.01 

.02 

.17 

.82 

.06 

1.95 

1.83 

30.65 

25.50 

39.07 

39.18 

24.68 

300 


ARTESIAN   WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate   of  pumping gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


De  Kalb 
Sycamore 

(Waterworks) 
De  Kalb  & 
Sycamore   Elec- 
tric R.  R. 
Well  No.  1 
902 
170 
150 
July  15,  1915 


Du  Page 
Bensenville 

(Near     Station) 

C.  M.  &  St.  P. 

R.  R. 


2290 

1236 

170 

Mar.  4,  1914 


Du  Page 

Downers 

Grove 

(Waterworks) 

City 


250 
To  bed  rock 

75 
Aug.  4,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate .  .  . 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaCQ3) 


160 

0. 

220. 

.1 

.1 

2 

.32 

.28 

1.1 

1.4 

1.24 

9.9 

46. 

6. 

361. 

45.7 

125.9 

345. 

420. 

444. 

-24. 

268. 

244. 

—160. 

110. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

1.5 

1.7 

14.7 

25.4 

134.4'  ' 

iii.' 

.2 
22.1 

1.9 

75.9 

67.6 

169.6 

108." 
"  7.'  "  ' 

1.7 

Sodium  chloride 

9  9 

Sodium  sulphate 

30.5 

Sodium  carbonate 

Magnesium  sulphate 

132. 

Magnesium  carbonate 

92.4 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

134. 

Iron  carbonate 

.4 

Undetermined 

43.1 

Total 

361. 

430. 

444. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.09 
.10 
.86 

1.48 

'  '7.84' 

9. 39' 

.01 

1.29 

.11 
4.42 
3.93 
9.88 

'  '6.30' 
'  '  .40 

01 

Sodium  chloride 

58 

Sodium  sulphate 

1  78 

Sodium  carbonate 

Magnesium  sulphate 

7  70 

Magnesium  carbonate 

5  38 

Calcium   sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate.  . 

7  82 

Iron  carbonate 

02 

Undetermined 

2  51 

Total 

21.06 

25.04 

25  80 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters  in  northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


301 


Du  Page 
Elmhurst 

(Waterworks) 

City 
Well  No.  1 


301 
76 
152 
July  9,  1915 


Du  Page 
Elmhurst 

(Waterworks) 
City 


958 
76 
325 
Sept.  2,  1915 


Du  Page 
Elmhurst 

(Waterworks) 
City 


958 
76 
410 
Sept.  20,  1915 


Du  Page 
Hinsdale 

(Waterworks) 
City 


268 
To  bed  rock 

500± 
Aug.  5,  1914 


Du  Page 
Lombard 

(Waterworks) 
Village 


330 
Aug.  12,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


232. 

156. 

164. 

148. 

148. 

.2 

.3 

.5 

1.5 

.56 

.44 

.0 

.48 

2.47 

1.94 

.0 

2.12 

6. 

5. 

5. 

0. 

4. 

0. 

56. 

53. 

174.5 

44.8 

465. 

413. 

408. 

534. 

405. 

375. 

322. 

315. 

270. 

350. 

—8. 

20. 

20. 

116. 

10. 

(parts  per  million) 


3. 

3. 

2.9 

10. 

8. 

8. 

6.6 

117. 

55. 

50. 

94. 

49.1 

8. 

24. 

24. 

139.2 

12. 

195. 

114. 

121. 

26.9 

117.9 

135.' 

186.' 

171.' 

238." 

2i2."  ' 
3.1 

23. 

31. 

35.9 

1.4 

465. 

413. 

408. 

534. 

405. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.17 

.17 

.17 

.58 

.47 

.47 

.38 

6.82 

3.21 

2.92 

5.48 

2.86 

.47 

1.40 

1.40 

8.11 

.70 

11.37 

6.65 

7.06 

1.57 

6.87 

'   7.87 

10.85 

9.97 

'ilLW 

'12.3*7 

.18 

1.34 

1.81 

2.08 

.08 

27.11 

24.09 

23.80 

31.12 

23.61 

302 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 

Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing feet 

Rate  of   pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Du  Page 
Naperville 
(SW.  %  sec. 
18,  T.  38  N„ 

R.  10  B.) 
Mr.  Goodwin 

Spring- 


Flows  10± 
July  13,  1915 


Du  Page 
West  ChicagOi 
(Waterworks) 


City 

"New  Well 

322 

90 

100± 

Aug.  13,  1914 


Du  Page 
West  Chicago 
(Waterworks) 


City 

Old  Well 

715 

90 

100± 

Aug.  13,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 


232. 

148. 

148. 

0. 

.4 

1.2 

.32 

.36 

44.2 

2.29 

1.6 

22. 

23. 

11. 

111.5 

106. 

50.2 

605. 

485. 

366. 

330. 

30  0. 

275. 

84. 

80. 

10. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate .... 
Calcium   carbonate  .  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


60.6 
36.3 
46. 

ioo.V 

124.3 
182.'  ' 

'55." 


605. 


3.1 
37.9 
43.5 

'96.'" 

57.1 

232."  ' 

.8 

14.6 


485. 


2.2 
18.2 
60. 

'l2."  ' 
117.9 

137."  ' 

2.5 
16.2 

366. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate.  . 
Magnesium  carbonate. 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate.  .  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 


Total 


3.53 
2.12 
2.68 

'5.88' 
7.25 

16.62' 

'  3.21 

35.29 


.18 
2.21 
2.53 

5.6*0 
3.33 

'  13.53 

.05 

.85 

28.28 


.13 

1.06 
3.50 

'  '  .70 

6.87 

'  '7.99' 
.15 
.94 

21.34 


BOILER  ANALYSES 


303 


waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


Du  Page 
West  Chicago 
(Roundhouse) 

Du  Page 
West  Chicago 
(Roundhouse) 

Du  Page 

Wheaton 

(Waterworks) 

Grundy- 
Carbon  Hill 
(Waterworks) 

Grundy 

Coal  City 

(Waterworks) 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R. 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R. 

City 

City 

City 

2081 

ibb+ 

Aug.  13,  1914 

(Dug)  30 

300  + 
Aug.  13,  1914 

175 
110 
335 
Aug.  13,  1914 

1900 
150  + 
15  + 
Sept.  29,  1915 

350 

100 

180 

Sept.  29,  1915 

(parts  per  million) 


120. 

192. 

88. 

168. 

160. 

.4 

.1 

.5 

.4 

.3 

1.2 

5. 

.48 

5.3 

22.1 

2.12 

1.77 

1.94 

3. 

26. 

1. 

290. 

260. 

41.6 

134. 

48.6 

382. 

350. 

363. 

588. 

356. 

1296. 

1190. 

300. 

325. 

270. 

252. 

252. 

12. 

134. 

0. 

188. 

136. 

(parts  per  million) 


7.3 

30.3 

2.9 

2. 

3. 

5. 

42.9 

1.7 

479. 

429. 

44.4 

8.4 

71.9 

299. 

326. 

'Ha  ' 

160.8'  ' 

202." 

i.63.' 

90.7 

48.7 

73.9 

*27." 

20. 

192. 

267. 

182. 

252. 

228. 

.8 

.2 

1. 

1. 

1. 

8.4 

29.7 

22.6 

34. 

20. 

363. 

588. 

356. 

1296. 

1190. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.43 

1.77 

.17 

.12 

.17 

.29 

2.49 

.10 

27.94 

25.02 

2.58 

.49 

4.18 

17.44 

19.02 

'  '.84' 

'  '9.38' 

11.78 

'    9.51 

5.28 

2.83 

4.30 

'  'i.57' 

1.17 

11.20 

15.57 

10.62 

14.70 

13.30 

.05 

.01 

.06 

.06 

.06 

.50 

1.73 

1.32 

1.98 

1.17 

21.17 

34.27 

20.75 

75.59 

69.42 

304 


AKTESIAN    WATEKS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing feet 

Rate  of   pumping gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Grundy 

Minooka 

(Waterworks) 


City 


620 
100± 
50 
Sept.  23,  1915 


Grundy 
Morris 
(614   W.   Wash- 
ington St.) 

Gebhard 
Brewery 


35 
Sept.  22,  1915 


Kane 

Aurora 

(Pumping 

Station) 

City 
Well  No.  '/. 


2300± 
300± 
250± 
July  2,  1915 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaCQ3) 


184. 


.1 


2.1 

510. 

74.5 

1248. 

248. 

184. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate .... 
Calcium  carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


4. 

874. 

62. 

51. 


71. 


138. 
1. 


1201. 


38. 


97. 


163. 
1. 


383. 


2.9 

734.2 
MgCl2  90.9 


93.' 


248. 
.2 

78.4 


1248. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.23 

50.98 
3.62 
2.97 

'  '4.14' 

*  "8.05 

.06 

.06 
1.46 
3.38 
2.22 

'  '5.66' 

"9.V1 
.06 

17 

Sodium  chloride 

42.82 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

MgCl2     5.30 

Magnesium  sulphate 

5.45 

Magnesium  carbonate . . 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

14.47 

Iron  carbonate 

.01 

4  57 

Total 

70.05 

22.35 

72.79 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


305 


Kane 

Aurora 

(Phillips  Park) 

Kane 

Aurora 

(Lake  St.) 

Kane 

Aurora 

(River  St.) 

Kane 

Aurora 

(River  St.) 

Kane 

Aurora 

(Farns  worth 

St.  &  R.  R. 

Tracks) 

Aurora 

Wheeled 

Scraper     Co. 

City 

Aurora    Bleachery 

Aurora  Brewery 

Aurora  Brewery 

2759 
320 
125 
July  15,  1915 

1280 
To  bed  rock 

400  + 
July  3,  1915 

250 
To  bed  rock 

60 
July  4,  1915 

Spring 

'  '  15" 
July  3,  1915 

1410 
1200 
40 
July  8,  1915 

(parts  per  million) 


208. 

124. 

188. 

232. 

132. 

0. 

0. 

.2 

'  'i.'oV 

'id. 6* ' 

'  '8.8'  ' 

'70.V  ' 

2.9 

1300. 

12. 

64. 

48. 

14. 

98. 

50.2 

132.1 

156.8 

85.6 

2992. 

378. 

655. 

694. 

428. 

264. 

280. 

365. 

282. 

278. 

632. 

— 28. 

—4. 

136. 

—18. 

parts  per  million) 


1. 

14.5 

12.1 

97. 

4. 

1537. 

19.8 

105.6 

79.2 

23.1 

Mg-Cl2    196. 

74.3 

195.5 

39.4 

126.7 

29.7 

4.2 

1.63.2*  ' 

19.1 

CaCl2     354. 

104.1 

157.9 

80.6 

iio.9 

139. 

264. 

128. 

173. 

186. 

128. 

.4 
15.8 

'  7.6*  ' 

'  '6.V  ' 

48.6'  ' 

2491. 

378. 

655. 

694. 

428. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


306 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing feet 

Kate  of  pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Kane 
Aurora 
(160  N.  High- 
land Ave.) 

W.  B.  Davis' 
Greenhouse 

69 

24 
140 
July  19,  1915 


Kane 

Aurora 

(Farns  worth 

St.  &  R.  R. 

Tracks) 

Munroe 

Bindery 

1420 

60 

225 

July  8,  1915 


Kane 
Elgin 


Elgin  Watch 
Co. 

2000± 
To  bed  rock 

50 
Sept.  30,  1914 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaCOs) 


60. 

.2 
.3 
1.3 
24. 
33. 
318. 
202. 
10. 


Sodium  nitrate... 
Sodium  chloride .  . 
Sodium   sulphate. 
Sodium  carbonate 
Magnesium  sulphate 
Magnesium    carbon 
Calcium  sulphate . 
Calcium   carbonate 
Iron  carbonate.  .  . . 
Undetermined 

Total 


Hypothetical  combinations 


1.5 
14.9 
40.8 
12.7 

154.'6" 

151.' 
2.1 

2.9 
24.8 
140. 

8.5 

i24.V  ' 

122.' 
.4 
27.1 

1.8 

39.6 

34.6 

te    

12. 

42. 

152. 

.4 

35.6 

377.6 

450. 

318. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium   sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.09 

.87 
2.38 

.74 

'  '9.02' 

'  '8.8'l' 
.12 

.17 
1.45 
8.17 

.50 

7. 25' 

7.12' 

.02 

1.58 

.10 

2.31 

2.02 

.70 

2.45 

8.87 

.02 

2.08 

22.03 

26.26 

18.55 

BOILER  ANALYSES 


307 


waters 


northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


Kane 
Elgin 

Kane 

Elgin 

(Waterworks) 

Kane 

Mooseheart 

(N.B.  %  sec.  33 

T.  39  N.,  R.  8E.) 

Kane 

St.  Charles 

(Waterworks) 

Kane 

St.  Charles 

(Park  Street) 

Elgin  Watch  Co. 

City 

Order  of  Moose 

City 

City 

500 
40 
50 
Sept.  30,  1914 

1300 
Aug.  V,  1915 

1840 
39 
100 
July  10,  1915 

350 
To  bed  rock 

120 
Sept.  30,  1914 

850 
60  + 
200 
Sept.  30,  1914 

(parts  per  million) 


52. 

100. 

184. 

144. 

96. 

.3 

.1 

.1 

.0 

.1 

1.4 

(H2S04)        .9 

6.8 

.3 

6.2 

1.8 

29.2 

1.3 

25. 

8. 

7. 

27. 

5. 

30.4 

37. 

41.1 

97. 

26.7 

426. 

371. 

397. 

537. 

369. 

320. 

304. 

340. 

280. 

326. 

—156. 

16. 

12. 

22. 

—56. 

(parts  per  million) 


8.5 

2.5 

39.8 

1.8 

41.2 

13. 

11.6 

44.5 

8.2 

45. 

55. 

43.8 

112.3 

39.4 

166. 

17. 

'l4.4'  ' 

*26.V  ' 

59.4 

43.7 

84. 

144.5 

102.5 

80.6 

112.' 

204." 

168." 

158." 

174."  " 

.6 

2. 

.2 

.0 

.2 

9. 

12. 

53.5 

5.4 

426. 

375. 

397. 

537. 

369. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.49 

.15 

2.32 

.11 

2.40 

.76 

.68 

2.60 

.48 

2:62 

3.21 

2.55 

6.54 

2.30 

9.68 

.99 

'".84* 

i.'54 

3.46 

2.55 

4.9 

8.43 

5.97 

4.70 

6.53 

*  ii.V " 

9.80" 

'  '9.2V 

'io.'iV 

.03 

.12 

.01 

.00 

.01 

.52 

.70 

3.12 

.31 

24.82 

21.88 

23.16 

31.31 

21.52 

308 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Kankakee 
Bradley 


Bradley  Mfg. 
Co. 

244' 
200± 
200± 
Oct.  1,  1915 


Kankakee 
Kankakee 
(396  S.  Schuy- 
ler St.) 

Kankakee 
Pure  Milk  Co. 

205 
30 
75 
Oct.  2,  1915 


Kankakee 
Kankakee 
(600  S.  Dear- 
born St.) 

Radeke 
Brewery 

225 
25± 
80 
Sept.  30,  1915 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 


140. 

180. 

200. 

.8 

1. 

3. 

3.36' 

'  '2.I2' 

'  47.7  ' 

16. 

25. 

30. 

57. 

186. 

175. 

450. 

758. 

703. 

427. 

415. 

345. 

48. 

156. 

136. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


5. 
26. 
16. 

*  58.'  '  " 

77. 

235.' 

2. 
31. 

3. 
41. 

55. 

187'.'" 

20. 

391."  ' 

2. 
59. 

65. 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

50. 
67. 

163. 

54. 

Calcium  sulphate 

281..' 

1. 

22. 

Total 

450. 

758. 

703. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  . .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.29 

1.52 

.93 


'  '3.38' 
4.49 

13.71 

.12 
1.81 

26.25 


3.79 

2.92 
3.91 


'  '9.V1 

3.15 

'  16.39 

.06 

1.2S 

41.01 


BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


309 


Kankakee 
Kankakee 


State  Hospital 
Well  No.  1 

1812 

75± 
250± 
Sept.  30,  1915 


Kankakee 
Kankakee 


State  Hospital 
Well  No.  2 

1847 
75± 
250± 
Sept.  30,  1915 


Kendall 

Oswego 

(Waterworks) 


Village 


(Dug) 22 

'  " '  4  V 
July  20,  1915 


Lake 

Highland  Park 

(One  Mile  West 

atBlodgett) 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  It. 


1760 
121 
300± 
Aug.  20,  1914 


Lake 

Highland     Park 

(SE.  %  sec. 

21,  T.  43  N, 

R.  12  E.) 

Mr.    R.    Tillman 


168 
160± 

2± 
Aug.  24,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


268. 

188. 

172. 

36. 

172. 

.3 

.3 

.6 

.4 

.48 

2 

is 

1.41 

2.65 

2.47 

2.12 

3.5 

550. 

176. 

10. 

25. 

9. 

671. 

265. 

97. 

15.2 

276.9 

2197. 

978. 

410. 

231. 

609. 

233. 

288. 

307. 

163. 

170. 

452. 

192. 

64. 

—44. 

738. 

(parts  per  million) 


2. 

4. 

3. 

2.9 

4.8 

908. 

290. 

17. 

41.3 

14.9 

327. 

121. 

53. 

22.5 
46.6 

214.3 

322. 

226. 

77. 

165.6 

91. 

30.2 

28.6 

274. 

5. 

233. 

288. 

199. 

83. 

136. 

1. 

1 

.8 

.4 

130. 

43. 

3.7 

44.4 

2197. 

978. 

440. 

231. 

609. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.12 

.23 

.17 

.17 

.28 

52.96 

16.92 

.99 

2.41 

.87 

19.07 

7.06 

3.09 

1.31 

2.72 

12.50 

18.78 

13.18 

4.49 

9.66 

5.31 

1.76 

1.67 

15.98 

.29 

13.59 

16.80 

11.61 

4.84 

7.93 

.06 

.06 

.05 

.02 

7.58 

2.51 

.22 

2.59 

128.14 

57.05 

25.66 

13.48 

35.52 

310 


ARTESIAN    WATERS   OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping* gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Lake 

Lake  Bluff 

(Waterworks) 

City 


498 
193 
55 
Sept.  1,  1914 


Lake 

Lake  Bluff 

(Waterworks) 

City 


1900± 
195 
75 
Sept.  1,  1914 


Lake 
Lake  Forest 


Ogden  Armour 


1600± 
150 
200± 
Oct.  7,  1915 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate , 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaCOs) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 


24. 

56. 

.2 

.1 

.5 

.28 

.0 

.92 

0 

4.07 

16. 

16. 

12. 

105.3 

181.9 

318. 

580. 

450. 

120. 

251. 

277. 

-32. 

122. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

1.3 

26.4 

155.8 

33.9 

'  20.'2  ' 

'  64.'  '  ' 
.4 
16. 

*26.'4  ' 
95.4 

'67.V  ' 

'89.8'  ' 
251. 
.2 
49.6 

6 

Sodium  chlcride 

20 

Sodium  sulphate 

124 

Sodium  carbonate 

Magnesium  sulphate 

29 

Magnesium  carbonate 

30 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

241 

Iron    carbonate 

1 

Undetermined 

Total 

318. 

580. 

451 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

.08 
1.54 
9.09 
1.98 

i.'iY 

3.73 

.02 
.93 

i.V4 
5.56 

3. V  4 

5 .2"  4 

14.64 

.01 

2.89 

35 

Sodium  chloride 

1  17 

Sodium  sulphate 

7  23 

Sodium  carbonate 

Magnesium  sulphate 

1  69 

Magnesium  carbonate 

1  75 

Calcium  sulphate 

Calcium  carbonate 

14  06 

Iron  carbonate 

06 

Undetermined 

Total 

18.55 

33.82 

26  31 

waters   m 


BOILER  ANALYSES 

rtheastern   Illinois — Continued 


311 


Lake 
Ravinia  Park 


Ravinia  Park 
Association 

1096 
161 

75 
Aug.  25,  1914 


Lake 

Waukegan 
(C.  &N.  W.  Sta- 
tion) 

C.  &  N.  W.  R.  R. 

2200 

Flows  io 
Sept.  9,  1914 


Lake 

Waukegan 
(E.  of  Station) 

North  Shore 

Con.  Gas  Co. 

Old  Well 


Flows  6 
Sept.  9,1914 


Lake 

Waukegan 

(E.  of  Station) 

North  Shore 

Con.  Gas  Co. 

New  Well 

145 

115 

Flows  10 

Sept.  9,  1914 


Lake 

Zion  City 

(ShilohPark) 

City 


1568 
167± 
Floys  200± 
Sept.  10,  1914 


(parts  per  million) 


120. 

84. 

100. 

92. 

104. 

.6 

.4 

.8 

.4 

.4 

.0 

.20 

.16 

.20 

.52 

.0 

.88 

.7 

.88 

2.29 

41. 

16. 

27. 

40. 

20. 

276.2 

173.2 

136.2 

145.6 

260. 

739. 

555. 

496. 

547. 

698. 

263. 

252. 

223. 

246. 

247. 

136. 

104, 

22. 

204. 

(parts  per  million) 


1.2 

1. 

1.2 

3.1 

67.7 

26.4 

44.6 

66. 

33. 

220.2 

108. 

133.5 

184.4 

95.4 

144. 

ioo.V ' 

'  57.6  ' 

43.7 

26.4 
58.8 

72. 

21.8 

27.2 

195.8 

263. 

252. 

171. 

176. 

247. 

1.2 

.8 

1.7 

.4 

.8 

21.1 

38.6 

42.9 

33.8 

50.9 

739. 

555. 

496. 

547. 

698. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.07 

.06 

.07 

.18 

3.95 

1.54 

2.60 

3.85 

1.92 

12.84 

6.30 

7.79 

10.75 

5.56 

'  "s.Vo" 

'  '5. 88* 

"    3. 3*6 

2.55 

'  'i.5'4' 
3.43 

4. "20 

1.27 

1.59 

11.42 

15.34 

14.70 

9.97 

10.27 

14.41 

.07 

.05 

.10 

.02 

.05 

1.23 

2.25 

2.50 

1.97 

2.97 

43.10 

32.38 

28.93 

31.90 

40.71 

:i2 


ARTESIAN.  WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN   ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping gals,    per  min 

Date  sample  was  collected 


Lake 

Zion  City 

(Edinah  Park) 

City 


1270  + 
112± 

Flows  12  5  ± 
Sept.  10,  1914 


La  Salle 
Grand  Ridge 
(Waterworks) 

Village 


160 

146  + 

14'  screen 

110 

Sept.  17,  1915 


La  Salle 

Marseilles 

(Waterworks) 

Consumer's 

Water   &   Light 

Co. 

Two  Wells 

800  &600 

100± 

(Combined) 

100± 
Sept.  17,  1915 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaCOg) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaCQ3) 


56. 

52. 

136. 

.6 

.7 

.2 

.0 

.0 

.33 

2.12 

10. 

7. 

92. 

197.5 

0. 

100. 

576. 

331. 

568. 

252. 

300. 

290. 

134. 

—200. 

24. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate .... 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


'  i6.*5  ' 
102.1 

'  6.7. V  ' 

ioo  ' 

252. 
1.2 
30.9 

576. 


12. 
212.' 


331. 


3. 

152. 
114. 


17! 


570. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.  .  .  . 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.96 
5.96 

'  3.9*2 

'  6.'l9 

14.70 

.07 

1.80 


33.60 


.70 


2.57 

2*80 
.12 
.76 


19.32 


.17 
8.87 
6.65 

'  1*6*9 

5.48 

10*38 


33.24 


waters  of  northeastern  Illinois- 


BOILER  ANALYSES 

-Continued 


313 


La  Salle 
Marseilles 

La  Salle 
Marseilles 

La  Salle 
Marseilles 

La  Salle 
Marseilles 

La  Salle 
Mendota 
(N.  of  R.  R. 
Station) 
I.  C.  R.  R. 

Crescent  Paper   Co. 

E.  T.  Hanshue 

Howe    &   Davidson 
Paper  Mills 

Howe    &    Davidson 
Paper  Mills 

128 
80± 

137 
35 

590 
To  bed  rock 

75 

563 

135± 

Flows   4 
Sept.  17,  1915 

Flows  y2 
Sept.  17,  1915 

Flows  10 
Sept.  18,  1915 

Flows  2 
Sept.  18,  1915 

125  + 
July  26,  1915 

(parts  per  million) 


176. 

176. 

156. 

180. 

80. 

0. 

0. 

.6 

.3 

2. 

i.2'4 

'  ' .71 

i.'o*6 

i.'06 

5.3*0* 

,190. 

200. 

130. 

200. 

14. 

206. 

212. 

136. 

206. 

0. 

895. 

912. 

698. 

916. 

348. 

300. 

280. 

305. 

300. 

294. 

68. 

112. 

40. 

76. 

—74. 

(parts  per  million) 


2. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

7. 

313. 

330. 

215. 

330. 

23. 

209. 

155. 

145. 

197. 

'76.'" 

82. 

134. 

48. 

91. 

91. 

54. 

97. 

87. 

67. 

i92.' 

244.'"  ' 

i89." 

196.* 

140.' 

1. 

1. 

4. 

6. 

2. 

13. 

895. 

918. 

698. 

916. 

317. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


314 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of   casing- feet 

Rate   of   pumping gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


La  Salle 

Mendota 

(E.  of  R.  R. 

Station) 

.    B.  &  Q.  R.    R. 

480 
136 
200± 
July  26,  1915 


La  Salle 

Ottawa 

(Waterworks) 

City 

"Well  No.  1 

1449 

285± 

200 

July  28,  1915 


La  Salle 

Ottawa 

(Waterworks) 

City 

Well  No.  2 

1200 

285± 

200 

July  28,  1915 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 


80. 

108. 

92. 

2.5 

.2 

.4 

2.12" 

i.4*i 

2.'l2 

13. 

23. 

38. 

0. 

0. 

13. 

382. 

359. 

402. 

333. 

326. 

320. 

104. 

—72. 

—84. 

Hyp othe tical  c o m bina t io ns 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium   chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate .... 
Calcium  carbonate... 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


110. 
'67.' 


149. 
5. 


355. 


76. 

*9i. 

1.46.' 


353. 


3. 
63. 
19. 


77. 
144. 


395. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

Sodium  chloride 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate.  .  .  . 
Magnesium  sulphate. 
Magnesium  carbonate 
Calcium  sulphate.... 
Calcium  carbonate.  .  . 

Iron  carbonate 

Undetermined 

Total 


.17 
1.69 


6.41 
3.Yl 


8.69 
.29 


21.16 


.12 
2.21 

4.43* 

5.Vl 

8. '52 


20.59 


.17 
3.67 
1.11 
5.19 

4.49 

8.40 

23.03 


BOILER.  ANALYSES 

waters  of  northeastern  Illinois — Continued 


:15 


La  Salle 

La  Salle 

La  Salle 

La  Salle 

La  Salle 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Peru 

(La  Salle  St.) 

(Michigan  & 
Champlain  Sts.) 

(Waterworks) 

J.  P.  Catlin 

Chicago  Fire  Brick 
&  Retort  Co. 

Chicago  Fire  Brick 
&  Retort  Co. 

Ottawa  Brewery 

City 

1800  + 

400  + 

600  + 

310  ■ 

1505? 

188  + 

200  + 

80  + 

Flows  3 

Flows  8 

10 

75 

100  + 

July  29,  1915 

July  29,  1915 

July  29,  1915 

July  28,  1915 

July  26,  1915 

(parts  per  million) 


176. 

120. 

128. 

108. 

92. 

6. 

2. 

.2 

.1 

1.7 

1.06 

1.76 

1.06 

'  'i.41 

i.'77 

2000. 

43. 

36. 

23. 

245. 

62. 

40. 

47. 

0. 

65. 

3707. 

468. 

475. 

373. 

845. 

255. 

328. 

325. 

326. 

314. 

376. 

0. 

—32. 

76. 

—100. 

(parts  per  million) 


1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

2. 

2954. 

71.. 

59. 

70. 

38. 

404. 
96. 

MgCl2    165. 

59. 

34. 

76. 

106. 

CaCl2     148. 

101. 

108. 

91. 

*77."  ' 

88. 

255. 

208. 

165. 

146. 

122. 

12. 

4. 

4. 

3623. 

445. 

437. 

353. 

811. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.06 

.11 

.58 

.12 

.12 

172.30 

4.14 

3.44 

2.22 

23.57 

3.44 

4.08 

5.60 

(Mg012)      9.62 

1.98 

4.43 

6.18 

(CaCl2)  '  '8.63* 

'  '5.89' 

6.30' 

"  "5.30" 

'  '4.49 

5.13 

14.87 

12.13 

9.62 

8.52 

7.12 

.70 

.23 

:::::: 

.23 

211.31 

25.94 

26.00 

20.59 

47.31 

316 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF   NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing feet 

Rate   of   pumping gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was  collected 


La  Salle 
Peru 

La  Salle 

Streator 

(B.  Plant) 

La  Salle 
Streator 

Illinois  Zinc 
Co. 

Jan".  V,  19 16 

American 
BottlevCo. 
700  + 
200  + 
97 
Aug.  10,  1915 

"Western 

Glass  Co. 

587 

200  + 

60  + 

Aug.  10,  1915 

Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as   CaC03) 

112. 
3. 

0. 

0. 

205. 

76. 

743. 

302. 

—144. 

112. 
.1 

' '  i.'s  * 

325. 

45. 

958. 

355. 

—128. 

116. 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen 

.2 

Nitrate 

1.4 

325 

36. 

Residue 

963. 

Alkalinity    (as   CaCOs) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaC03) 

370. 
— 136. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

338. 
11.2 

47. 

'  94.'  '  ' 

146." 

6. 

2. 

536. 

67. 

135. 

*94."  ' 

115.' 
.2 
8.8 

2. 

Sodium  chloride 

536. 

53. 

Sodium   carbonate 

144. 

Magnesium  sulphate 

97. 

Calcium  carbonate 

118. 

.4 

12.6 

Total 

743. 

958. 

963. 

Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate , 

19.72 
6.53 
2.74 

5. '48 

8. '52 
.35 

.12 

31.26 

3.91 

7.87 

5. '4  8 

6. Vl 
.01 
.51 

.12 
31.26 

Sodium  sulphate 

Sodium  carbonate 

3.09 
8.40 

5.66 

6.88 

.02 

.73 

Total 

43.34 

55.87 

56.16 

BOILEE  ANALYSES 

waters   in   northeastern   Illinois — Continued 


317 


McHenry 

McHenry 

McHenry 

Will 

Will 

North  Crystal 

Woodstock 

Woodstock 

Joliet 

Joliet 

Lake 

(Waterworks) 

(Waterworks) 

(Near  C.  &  N.  W. 

(110  W.  Jeffer- 

(210 Collins 

R.  R.  Sta.) 

son  St.) 

St.) 

City 

City 

Oliver    Typewriter 

Adler  Packing- 

Joliet    Citizen's 

Co. 

Co. 

Brewery 

285 

1000  + 

1211 

344 

1350 

260 

To  bed  rock 

980 

60  + 

150 

200  + 

160 

120 

35  + 

50  + 

Sept.  28,  1914 

Sept.  28,  1914 

Sept.  26,  1914 

Sept.  27,  1915 

Sept.  24,  1915 

(parts  per  million) 


112. 

156. 

162. 

236. 

236. 

.8 

1.2 

2.2 

.2 

0. 

.3 

2 

.0 

1.3 

.9 

.0 

6.2 

26.5 

17. 

2. 

4. 

50. 

53. 

7. 

.0 

26.3 

215. 

285. 

328. 

390. 

441. 

761. 

842. 

294. 

380. 

380. 

330. 

300. 

—44. 

—20. 

—40. 

200. 

244. 

(parts  per  million) 


1.8 

1.2 

9. 

36. 

28. 

3.3 

6.6 

83. 

87. 

10.3 

38.8 

34. 

74. 

46.6 

21.2 

42.4 

240." 

283."  ' 

94.1 

131. 

134.4 

30. 

'ii.' 

138. 

204. 

180. 

294. 

300. 

1.6 

2.5 

4.6 

7.6 

26.8 

34.2 

71. 

51. 

328. 

390. 

441. 

761. 

842. 

(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.10 

.07 

.52 

2.10 

1.63 

.19 

.38 

4.84 

5.07 

.60 

2.26 

1.98 

4.32 

2.72 

1.24 

2.46 

'ii.Vo' 

'i6.Vi 

5.49 

7.64 

7.83 

1.75 

■■•.64 
17.50 

8.05 

'ii.Vo 

'  i6.'50' 

'i  7.1*5 

.09 

.15 

.27 

.44 

1.56 

2.00 

4.14 

2.97 

19.12 

22.75 

25.70 

44.38 

49.11 

318 


ARTESIAN    WATERS    OF    NORTHEASTERN    ILLINOIS 


Table  II. — Boiler  analyses  of  underground 


County 

Town 

Owner 

Depth   of  well feet 

Depth  of  casing feet 

Rate   of   pumping- gals,    per  min. 

Date  sample  was   collected 


Will 

Joliet 

(Michigan  & 

Benton  Sts. 

Moore  Stove 

Co. 

503 

175 

35± 

Sept.  23,  1915 


Will 

Joliet 

(142  S.  Bluff 

St.) 

E.  Porter 

Brewery 

512 


20 
Sept.  24,  1915 


Will 

Joliet 

(812  N.  Scott 

St.) 

F.  Sehring 

Brewery 

1575 


50 
Sept.  23,  1915 


Determinations  made 


Magnesium    (as    CaC03) 

Iron 

Nitrate  nitrogen , 

Nitrate 

Chlorine 

Sulphate 

Residue 

Alkalinity    (as    CaC03) 

Non-carbonate  hardness    (as  CaCQ3) 


352. 
0. 


19.4 
107. 
561. 
1379. 
355. 
504. 


Hypothetical  combinations 


Sodium  nitrate 

39. 
119. 
121. 

418.' 

141.' 
370. 

107." 

12. 

297 
MgCl2  188! 

'  94.'  "  ' 

174.' 
310. 

214."  ' 

27 

Sodium   chloride .  .  . 

177. 
114 

422 

Calcium  sulphate 

208. 
355 

Iron  carbonate ., 

Undetermined 

'  76.'  "  ' 

Total    

1315. 

1289. 

1379 

Hyp  othc  tical  comb  in  a  tions 


Sodium  nitrate 

2.27 
6.94 
7.06 

'  24.*38 

8.22 

21.58 

6.24 

.70 

17.32 

MgCl2  10.97 

5*48 

'  io.'iV 

18.08 
"  i2.*48 

1.57 

Sodium  chloride 

10.32 

Sodium  sulphate , 

6.65 

Sodium   carbonate 

Magnesium  sulphate 

'  2 4. '62 

Magnesium  carbonate 

12.13 

20.71 

Iron  carbonate 

4.43 

Total 

76.69 

75.18 

80.43 

BOILER  ANALYSES 

waters  of  northeastern  Illinois — Concluded 


319 


Will 

Rockdale 

(Waterworks) 

Will 
Rockdale 

Winnebago 
Rockford 

Winnebago 
Rockford 

Village 

American    Can    Co. 

Nelson  Hotel 

Trust  Building 

662 
260 
160 
Sept.  24,  1915 

640 
135 
40 
Sept.  24,  1915 

400± 
To  bed  rock 
15 
Sept.  29,  1914 

400 
To  bed  rock 

10 
Sept.  29,  1914 



(parts  per  million) 


88. 

208. 

196. 

156. 

.4 

.1 

.0 

.5 

.0 
3.2 

.53 

7.4 

2.2 

14.1 

47. 

22. 

26. 

34. 

116. 

206. 

71.6 

47.7 

530. 

695. 

528. 

468. 

290. 

370. 

318. 

330. 

—84. 

76. 

96. 

62. 

(parts  per  million) 


1. 

78. 

172. 

89. 

"74."  ' 

10. 

36. 
1.97 

"91."  ' 
111. 

3. 

18.5 

(MgCl2)'  19.9  * 
89.7 
84. 

19.3 

41.7 

(MgCl2)'ii."7"  ' 
59.7 
78.9 

118." 
1. 

238." 

'ii." ' 

218." 

.0 

94.9 

236. 

.0 
20.7 

533. 

695. 

528. 

468. 



(parts  per  U.  S.  gallon) 


.06 

.58 

.17 

1.12 

4.55 

2.10 

1.08 

2.43 

10.03 

11.49 

5.19 

(MgCl2)     1.16 

(MgCl2)        .68 

5.31 

5.23 

3.47 

4.32 

6.47 

4.90 

4.59 

6. '88 

*i3.*88* 

'12.71 

*  1 3 .76* 

.06 

.00 

.00 

.70 

5.53 

1.20 

31.09 

40.53 

30.78 

27.25 

321 


INDEX 


A 

PAGE 

Acknowledgments  20 

Air-lift  pumps    70-72 

costs  of  pumping  with 74-75 

investigations    of 70-72 

Algonquin,     mineral      analysis 

for   245 

water  supply  at 208-209 

Alluvial  deposits  28-29 

Analyses,    methods    of   making 

37-38,40-41 

Analyses  of: 

gas  from  Armour  well,  Lake 

Forest     188 

Niagaran  limestone  waters.  .  96 

Potsdam    waters 99 

water  from  wells  at  Bensen- 

ville    143 

See  also  Boiler  water  anal- 
yses and  Mineral  analyses. 
Argo,     boiler     water     analyses 

for    .250-251 

log  of  well  at 109-110 

water   supply  at 109-111 

Arlington  Heights,  water   sup- 
ply   at    127-128 

Armour  well,  near  Lake  Forest, 

log  of   186 

Artesian  waters,  definition  of.  24 

Aurora,   boiler  water   analyses 

for   304-306 

log  of  city  well  at 163 

mineral  analyses  for 238-239 

temperatures     of    deep    well 

waters   at    46,  163 

temperature   of  shallow  well 

water   at    48 

water   supply  at 160-163 

B 

Barrington,    boiler    water    an- 
alysis for 251 

mineral  analysis  for 234 

temperature  of  shallow  well 

waters   at 48 

water  supply  at 128 

Bartow,  Edward,   assistance  of  20 
Batavia,    log   of   city   well    No. 

2  at  165 

mineral  analysis  for 239 

temperature     of     deep     well 

waters   at    46 

water  supply   at 164-165 


PAGE 

Bed  rocks,  outcrops  of 25 

Bellewood,  mineral  analysis  for  234 

water  supply  at Ill 

Belvidere,  boiler  water  analysis 

for   250 

log  of  well  at 79-81 

mineral  analysis  for 234 

temperatures  of  well  waters 

at 46,  47 

water   supply  of 78-79 

Bensenville,  boiler  water  anal- 
ysis   for 300 

log  of  well   at 140-141 

water  supply  at 140-142 

Berwyn,   boiler   water  analysis 

for    252 

water   supply   at Ill 

Blodgett,  log  of  well  at 184 

water  supply   at 184 

Bloomington  moraine,  distribu- 
tion  of 129-130,190 

Blue    Island,    boiler    water    an- 
alyses for    252-253 

static  head  at 103 

temperatures    of    deep    well 

waters   at    46 

water   supply   at 102-103 

Boone  County,  artesian  waters 

of 77-81 

Braceville,  water  supply  at...  151 
Bradley,   boiler  water  analysis 

for   308 

Braidwood,  log  of  well  at 217 

mineral  analysis  for 246 

water  supply  at 216-217 

C 

Cady,  G.  H.,  assistance  of 20 

Calumet  River,   course  of 82 

Carbon   Hill,   boiler   water   an- 
alysis   for 303 

water  supply  at 151 

Carpentersville,    water    supply 

at   166 

Casing  of  wells 54 

effect    of    on    chemical    char- 
acter of  water 38-39 

Cater     Contracting     Company, 

assistance    of 20 

Cedar   Point,   mineral   analysis 

for    241 

water   supply  at 193 

Centrifugal  pump,  see  Impeller 
pump. 


322 


index— continued 


PAGE 

Chemical    character    of    under- 
ground waters 37-42 

Chicago   &  Northwestern   Rail- 
way Company's  wells,  logs 

of,  at  Belvidere 79 

Blodgett   184 

Harvard     209 

Malta    134 

Norma    , 125-126 

Proviso 116-117 

West    Chicago 148 

Chicago,  boiler  water  analyses 

for   253-291 

daily  pumpage  of 17,  90-91 

first  deep  well  in 88 

hydrogen  sulphide  in  waters 

of 40-42 

mineral  analyses  for 234-235 

temperatures  of  well  waters 

in     45,  46 

well  water  supply  at 87-102 

Chicago   Heights,   boiler   water 

analyses   for    292 

water  supply   at 107-108 

Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 
Railway     Company's     well 

at  Bensenville,  log  of 140-141 

Chicago  Portland  Cement  Com- 
pany's well  at  Oglesby,  log 

of   199 

Clearing,  boiler  water  analyses 

for    292-293 

water   supply  at 111-112 

Coal    City,    boiler    water    anal- 
ysis   for 303 

log  of  well  at 152 

mineral  analysis  for 238 

water   supply  at 151-152 

"Coal   Measures",    see   Pennsyl- 

vanian  system. 
Cook    County,    artesian   waters 

of   81-129 

Corn    Products    Refining    Com- 
pany's well  at  Argo,  log  of  109-110 
Crete,  mineral  analysis  for....         247 

water   supply   at 217-218 

"Crevices",  the 98 

Crystal  Lake,  log  of  well  at.  . .         209 

mineral    analysis    for 245 

water  supply  at 209 

D 

Deep  well  pumps 69 

costs  of  pumping  with 73 

Deer  Park,  log  of  well  at 194 

water   supply  at 193-194 

DeKalb,  log  of  well  at 133 

mineral  analysis  for 237 

water   supply   at 132-133 

DeKalb  County,  artesian  waters 

of  129-137 

DesPlalnes,   boiler  water  anal- 
ysis   for 293 


PAGE 

temperature  of  shallow  well 

water    at 48,125 

DesPlaines     Valley,     outlet    of 

Lake    Chicago 29 

springs  in 108 

Devonian   deposit  at  Elmhurst  83, 139 
at  East  Chicago  possible  ex- 
istence of    83 

Downers    Grove,    boiler    water 

analysis    for 300 

log  of  well  at 142 

temperature  of  shallow  well 

water  at   48,  49,  144 

water   supply  at 142, 144 

Dresbach  formation 84 

Drilled    wells 51-76 

Drillers  specifications  for  wells 

55-56,  59-69 

Drilling,   costs   of 52,  55,  57-58 

methods   of 51-52,  52-53 

Drilling  samples,  directions  for 

taking  and  importance  of.     18,19 

Driven    wells 51 

Dug  wells 50-51 

DuPage     County,     artesian 

waters    of 137-149 

E 
Earlville,   water  supply   at....         194 
East  Chicago,  log  of  well  at.  . .         106 

Elburn,  log  of  well  at 166 

water   supply  at 166 

Elgin,     boiler    water    analyses 

for    306-307 

log  of  well   at 167 

temperatures  of  well  waters 

at     48, 168 

water   supply   at 166-168 

Elgin,    Joliet    &    Eastern    Rail- 
way    Company's     well     at 

Coal  City,  log  of 152 

Elmhurst,    boiler    water    anal- 
yses for    301 

log  of  well  at 145 

water  supply   at 144-145 

Eola,   water  supply  at 145 

F 
Farm  Ridge  moraine,  distribu- 
tion  of 190 

Forest   Park,   mineral   analysis 

for   236 

water  supply  at 112 

G 
Galena  -  Platteville      limestone, 
see  under  local  discussions 
for  each  county. 

Gardner,  water  supply  at 152 

Gas  in  the  Niagaran  limestone         185 
analysis     of,     from     Armour 

well,  Lake  Forest 186 

Geiger,  S.  B.,  assistance  of....  20 

Geneva,  water  supply  at 16S 


index — continued 


323 


PAGE 

Genoa,  mineral  analysis  for...  237 

water   supply  at 133 

Geologic    formations 25-30 

Geothermal     gradients,     defini- 
tion   of 42 

factors   affecting 49-50 

Glen    Ellyn,    mineral    analysis 

for    237 

water   supply  at 146 

Glenwood,  water  supply  at.  .  .  .         105 
Grand  Ridge,  boiler  water  anal- 
ysis   for 312 

log  of  well  at 194 

mineral  analysis  for 241 

temperature  of  shallow  well 

water   at 48 

water  supply  at 194-195 

Grasselli     Chemical     Company, 

log  of  well  of 105-107 

Grays  Lake,  log  of  well  at 182-183 

water  supply  at 182-183 

Ground    moraines 27-28 

Ground-water    level 21 

Grundy  County,  waters  of 149-157 

Gurnee,  water  supply  at 183 

H 

Harvard,  log  of  well  at 209 

water  supply  at 209-210 

Harvey,    boiler    water    analyses 

for    293-294 

water  supply  at 104 

Highland    Park,    boiler    water 

analyses  for    309 

mineral  analysis  for 241 

water   supply  at 183-184 

High  wood,  water  supply  at.  . .  .  185 

Hinckley,  mineral  analysis  for  237 

water  supply  at 134 

Hinsdale,  boiler  water  analysis 

for   301 

temperature    of    well    water 

at   48,49,  146 

water  supply  at 146 

Hoge  well  near  Morris,  log  of  155 

Homewood,   water   supply  at..  105 
Hospital    for     the     Insane     at 

Kankakee,  log  of  well  at.  .  175 
Hubbard    Woods,    boiler    water 

analysis    for 294 

water  supply   at 126 

Hydrogen  sulphide,  presence  of 

in  underground  waters.  . .  .  40-42 


Illinois    Zinc    Company's    well 

at  Peru,  log  of     202 

Impeller    pumps 69-70 

costs  of  pumping  with 73 

Invariable  stratum,  depth  of .  .  44 


J 

PAGE 

Joliet.     boiler    water    analyses 

for    317-318 

log  of  well  at 221 

mineral  analyses  for 247 

temperatures     of    deep    well 

waters   at 221 

water  supply  at 218-221 

Jordan   sandstone 84 

see  also  under  local  discus- 
sions for  each  county. 
J. P.  Miller  Artesian  Well  Com- 
pany,   assistance   of 20 

K 

Kane   County,  waters   of 157-171 

Kankakee,    boiler    water    anal- 
yses   for    308-309 

log  of  well  at 175 

temperatures  of  well  waters 

at 46,  47 

water  supply  at 172-175 

Kankakee      County,      artesian 

waters    of 171-177 

Kendall  County,  waters  of 177-179 

Kirkland,  water  supply  at 134 

L 

Lacustrine   deposits 29 

LaGrange,    boiler    water    anal- 
yses for 294 

temperature     of     deep     well 

water    at 113 

water   supply  at 112 

Lake  Bluff,  boiler  water   anal- 
yses   for    310 

temperatures  of  well  waters 

at    46,  48 

water  supply   at 185 

Lake    Chicago,    former    exten- 
sion  of 29,  82 

Lake  County,  waters  of 179-189 

Lake  Forest,  boiler  water  anal- 
ysis   for 310 

log  of  Armour  well  at 186 

water   supply   at 185-187 

Lake   Zurich,  mineral  analysis 

for    241 

water  supply   at 187 

LaSalle,   mineral  analyses  for. 241-242 

water  supply  at 195 

LaSalle     County,     artesian 

waters    of 189-205 

Leland,  mineral  analysis  for..  242 

water  supply  at 195 

Lemont,   boiler  water   analysis 

for    295 

water  supply   at 108-109 

Libertyville,  water  supply  at..  187 

Lockport,  log  of  well  at 222 

mineral  analysis  for 247 


324 


index — continued 


PAGE 

water   supply  at 221-222 

Logs,    importance   of 118 

Logs,  see  under  town  and  own- 
er's name. 
Lombard,  boiler  water  analysis 

for   301 

temperature  of  shallow  well 

water    at 146 

water  supply   at 148 

Lostant,  water  supply  at 195-196 

"Lower   Magnesian",   see   Prai- 
rie  du   Chien   group. 
Lyons,    boiler    water    analysis 

for   295 

M 

McHenry    County,    artesian 

waters    of 206-212 

thickness  of  drift  in 206-207 

Malta,  log  of  well  at 134 

water   supply  at 134 

Manteno,    mineral    analysis  for         240 

water   supply  at 176 

Maple    Park,    mineral   analysis 

for     240 

water   supply  at 169 

Maquoketa     shale,     see     under 

local    discussions. 
Marengo,  mineral  analysis  for         246 

water  supply  at 210 

Marengo  Ridge,  location  of . . . .         158 
Marseilles,    boiler    water    anal- 
yses   for    312-313 

log  of  well  near 196-197 

mineral  analysis  for 242 

temperatures  of  well  waters 

at    46,  48 

water  supply  at 196-197 

Marseilles    moraine.  .  .149, 171.  177, 190 
Matteson,   mineral   analysis  for         236 

water  supply  at 108 

Maywood,  boiler  water  analysis 

for     295-296 

log  of  well  at 114 

temperature     of     deep     well 

water  at 46,  115 

water   supply   at 114-115 

Mazon,  log  of  well  near 153 

water   supply   at 152-153 

Melrose,  boiler  water   analyses 

for 296 

water  supply  at 115-116 

Mendota,  boiler  water  analyses 

for    313-314 

log  of  well  at 197 

mineral  analysis  for 243 

temperature   of  shallow  well 

water    at 48 

water   supply  at 197-198 

Minooka,  boiler  water  analyses 

for   204 


PAGE 

log  of  well  at 154 

mineral    analysis    for 238 

temperature     of     deep     well 

water  at    46,  153 

water  supply  at 153-154 

Minooka  Ridge,  distribution  of         177 

Mokena,  mineral   analysis  for.         247 
water   supply  at 222-223 

Monee,  mineral  analyses  for.  .         248 
water   supply  at 223 

Momence,  water  supply  at 176 

Montgomery,   mineral    analysis 

for   239 

water  supply   at 169 

Mooseheart,  boiler  water  anal- 
ysis   for 307 

water  supply  at 170 

Morris,    boiler    water    analysis 

for   304 

log  of  well  at 156-157 

log  of  well  near.  ..." 155 

mineral  analysis  for 238 

water   supply  at 154-157 

N 

Naperville,    boiler   water    anal- 
ysis   for 302 

log  of  well  at 147 

mineral  analysis  for 237 

temoerature    of    well    water 

at     48,49,146 

water  supply  at 146-147 

New  Richmond  sandstone 192 

Niagaran    limestone,    hydrogen 

sulphide  in  waters  from .  . .     40-42 

analysis  of  water  from. 96 

See  also  local  discussions 
under  Lake,  McHenry, 
Kane,  Cook,  DuPage,  Ken- 
dall, Will,  and  Kankakee 
counties. 

Norma,  log  of  well  at 125-126 

North     Crystal     Lake,     boiler 

water  analyses  for 317 

mineral  analyses  for 246 

water    supply    at 210-211 

O 

Oglesby,  log  of  well  at 199 

water  supply   at 198-199 

Open    wells     50-51 

Oswego,    boiler    water   analysis 

for   309 

water   supply   at 178-179 

Ottawa,    boiler   water    analyses 

for     314-315 

log  of  well   at 199-200 

mineral  analysis  for 243 

temperatures    of    deep    well 

waters   at    46 

water  supply   at 199-201 

Outwash  deposits 28 


index — continued 


325 


P 

PAGE 

Palatine,  water  supply  at 128-129 

Palos,  water  supply  at 105 

Park  Ridge,  boiler  water  anal- 
yses for    297 

high  static  head  at 94 

log  of  well  at 127 

water   supply  at 126-127 

Pecatonica,     mineral     analysis 

for 249 

water  supply  at 227 

Pennsylvanian  system,  see  un- 
der   local    discussions    for 
LaSalle,  Grundy,  Will,  and 
Kankakee  counties. 
Peotone,  mineral  analysis  for. .         248 

water   supply  at 223 

Peru,     boiler     water     analyses 

for   315-316 

log  of  well  at 202 

mineral   analyses   for 243 

water  supply  at 201-202 

Peddicord  well  near  Marseilles, 

log  of 196-197 

Plainfield,  mineral  analysis  for         248 

water  supply  at 223-224 

Piano,  log  of  well  at 179 

water  supply  at 179 

"Potsdam"    group 84 

chemical  character  of  waters 

of    98-102 

static  head  of 95 

waters  from  85-86,  89-90,  131 

See    also    under    local    dis- 
cussions for  each  county. 
Prairie  du  Chien  group,  see  un- 
der   local    discussions    for 
each   county. 
Proviso,    boiler   water   analysis 

for   297-298 

log  of  well  at 116-117 

mineral  analysis  for 236 

pumping  tests  on  wells  at. .  .118, 119 
temperatures    of    deep    well 

waters    at 120 

water  supply   at 116-120 

Pumpage,  effect  of  on  chemical 

character   of   water 39-40 

Pumping,   costs   of 73-75,91,93 

methods  of 69-72,  91,  93 

Pumping    tests    on    Chicago    & 
Northwestern   Railway   Com- 
pany's wells  at  Proviso.  .  .118, 119 

R 

Ransom,  mineral  analysis  for.  .         243 

water  supply  at 203' 

Ravinia  Park,  boiler  water  an- 
alysis   for 311 

temperature     of     deep     well 

waters   at    46 

water  supply  at 187 


PAGE 

Recession  of  static  head 36 

See    also    under    local    dis- 
cussions for  each  county. 
Reddick,    mineral   analysis   for         241 

water  supply  at 176-177 

Ringwood,  water  supply  at....         211 
Riverdale,    boiler    water    anal- 
ysis   for 298 

mineral  analysis  for 236 

static  head  at 95 

water   supply  at 104-105 

River  Forest,  boiler  water  an- 
alysis   for 299 

sulphur  in  waters  from 42 

temperature     of     deep     well 

waters   at    46 

water  supply  at 120-121 

Riverside,  boiler  water  an- 
alysis   for 299 

water   supply   at 120-123 

Rockdale,  boiler  water  analyses 

for   3i9 

mineral  analysis  for 249 

water   supply   at 224 

Rockford,  boiler  water  analyses 

for    319 

log  of  well  at 228 

mineral  analysis  for 249 

pumping  equipment  of..      .70,73-74 

water  supply  at 227-232 

Rondout,  water  supply  at 187-188 

S 

"Sag'',    the 82 

St.  Charles,  boiler  water  an- 
alyses for   307 

mineral  analyses  for 240 

water   supply  at 170-171 

St.  Lawrence  formation 84 

St.  Peter  sandstone,  see  under 
local  discussions  for  each 
county. 

Sandwich,  log  of  well  at 135 

water  supply  at 135 

Savage,  T.  E.,  assistance  of . . .  20 

Sheridan,  water  supply  at 203 

Size    of    wells,    relation    of    to 

yield    75-76,90 

Somonauk,  log  of  well  at 136 

water   supply  at. 135 

South   Chicago   Heights,  boiler 

water  analysis  for 292 

Specifications  for  wells. .  .  .55-56,  59-69 

Springs    23 

"Standard    rig",    use   of 51 

State  Water  Survey,  assistance 

of  20 

Static  head 31-37 

See   also   under    local   dis- 
cussions for  each  county. 

Steger,  mineral  analysis  for...  249 

water  supply  at 224 


326 


index — concluded 


PAGK 

Stock  Yards   district,   depth  of 

wells   in 53 

recession  of  static  head  at.  . .  94 

size  of  wells  in 90 

Stream    deposits 28-29 

Streator,  boiler  water  analyses 

for 316 

log  of  well  at 204-205 

mineral  analyses  for 243-244 

temperatures    of    deep    well 

waters   at    46,  204 

water    supply   at 203-205 

Summit,  boiler  water  analyses 

for   299 

divide  near 29 

log  of  well  at 123 

temperature     of     deep     well 

waters    at    46 

water   supply  at 123 

Surface     deposits,      effect     o  n 

ground-water  level  of 22 

Sycamore,    boiler    water    anal- 
yses for 300 

log  of  well  at 136-137 

temperature     of     deep     well 

water  at    .  .  46,  137 

water   supply   at 136-137 

T 

Temperature  of  invariable  stra- 
tum      44 

Temperatures  of  well  waters..     42-50 
from  great  depths  in  Chicago  45 

outside    Chicago 46 

See  also  under  local  discus- 
sions for  each  county. 
from  shallow  depths  in  Chi- 
cago       46 

outside    Chicago 48 

See    also    under    local    dis- 
cussions for  each  county. 
methods    of   measurement   of  42 

Terminal   moraines 26-27 

Tinley  Park,  water  supply  at.  .  108 

Topography,      effect      of      on 

ground-water  level 22 

Turbine     pump,     see     Impeller 
pump. 

U 

Ulrich,  E.  O.,  assistance  of....  20 
Underground     waters,     sources 

of  20 

Utica,    mineral    analyses    for..  245 

water   supply   at 205 

V 

Valparaiso     moraine,     distribu- 
tion of.  .26-27,  82,  107,  108,  127,  213 


PAGE 

waters    of 85 

Virgil,  water  supply  at 171 

W 

Walker  well  near  Mazon,  log  of         153 

Water    table 21 

Waukegan,    boiler   water    anal- 
yses for    311 

temperatures  of  well  waters 

at 48,188 

water   supply  at 188 

Wedron,    mineral    analysis    for         245 
temperature  of  shallow  well 

water    at 48 

water   supply  at 205 

Weiland,  H.  J.,  work  of 18,  40,  93 

Wells,   casing  of 54,  90 

dug  or  open 50-51 

size    of 54-90 

specifications    for. ...... 55-56,  59-69 

varieties  of ~ 50-52 

West  Chicago,  boiler  water  an- 
alyses for    302-303 

log  of  well  at 148 

mineral  analysis  for 237 

temperatures  of  well  waters 

at    46,  48,  49 

water   supply   at 147-148 

Western  Springs,  water  supply 

at    124 

Wheaton,  boiler  water  analysis 

for   303 

temperatures   of  well  waters 

at 48,  49 

water  supply  at 148-149 

Will  County,  waters  of 212-225 

Willow    Springs,    springs   at...  108 

Wilmington,  water  supply  at.  .224-225 
Winnebago      County,      artesian 

waters    of 225-232 

Wisconsin     Condensed     Milk 
Company's    well    at    Grays 

Lake,  log  of 182-183 

Woodstock,     boiler     water     an- 
alysis   for 317 

log  of  well  at 211 

mineral  analysis  for 246 

water   supply   at 211-212 

Y 

Yorkville,  water  supply  at....         179 

Z 
Zion     City,     boiler     water    an- 
alyses for 311-312 

log   of  well    at    Shiloh    Park 

near     189 

temperature     of    deep     well 

waters    at    46 

water   supply   at 188-189 


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